Moisture Mapping is a crucial tool in the field of wood science, allowing us to understand the intricate relationship between wood and moisture. One of the key aspects of Moisture Mapping is determining wood moisture content (WMC).
## Wood Moisture Content: A Critical Factor
WMC is the amount of water present in wood, typically expressed as a percentage of its dry weight. It significantly impacts wood’s properties, such as its strength, durability, and susceptibility to decay. Optimal WMC levels are essential for maintaining wood’s stability and integrity.
### Can Wood Contain Over 100% Moisture Content?
A common question in the realm of Moisture Mapping is whether wood can contain more than 100% moisture content. The answer is yes, but with a caveat.
When wood is submerged in water, it can absorb water beyond its dry weight. This phenomenon is known as **waterlogging**. During waterlogging, the wood’s cells become saturated, and the excess water occupies the spaces between the cells.
However, it’s important to note that waterlogged wood does not contain over 100% WMC in the strict sense. WMC is defined as the ratio of water weight to dry wood weight. Since waterlogged wood contains both water and saturated wood cells, its dry weight is higher than that of a comparable volume of dry wood.
Therefore, while waterlogged wood can contain more water than its own weight, it does not exceed 100% WMC when expressed as a percentage of its dry weight.