Performance Monitoring of Wood Construction Materials by Means of Integrated Sensors

Abstract

The use of natural materials for constructions, such as wood, makes it possible to respond to sustainability issues. However, due to its nature, it has problems of durability, as it is easily degradable. For this reason this research has developed a methodology aimed at defining an action strategy to monitor the behavior of wood elements. This methodology was verified in a case study where an innovative sensing and monitoring system conceived and optimized for modern wooden structures was introduced. It is organized with a control unit and sensing nodes that can be arranged freely. This architecture allows to provide continuous information about inside and outside ambient temperatures, moisture conditions and tri-axis inclination of structural elements. It is an innovative automatic monitor system that can be easily integrated to carry out a continuous analysis of the structural and environmental parameters of wooden buildings.