Page 14 - InnoRenew CoE International Conference 2024

Timber elements – parameter monitoring during whole life cycle

Jan Včelák *
1

1 ČVUT v Praze, Univerzitní centrum energeticky efektivních budov, Třinecká 1024, Buštěhrad, jan.vcelak@cvut.cz

Timber structures are commonly used for small residential projects but today also for big commercial projects
such as multi-story buildings, shopping malls, sport centers, schools, and many others. Investors and developers

are aware of the main risks for timber structures such as resistance to fire and moisture related problems.
Timber elements offer the possibility to fully digitalize manufacturing processes and use prefabrication of
elements in controlled conditions and thus limit on-site labor and reduce risk of weather-related problems during
construction process.

Many timber projects already have a monitoring system which can identify moisture-related problems in the
timber structure. Currently there are several types of sensors available that can be integrated into the structure
to monitor increased moisture, potential leaks, condensation or other events. Prefabrication enables sensor
integration where sensors become part of the timber element and measure conditions directly in it. The relevant
parameters to measure would be relative air humidity, temperature, wood moisture content. By processing the
data, it is possible to detect any abnormal situation to which the timber element was exposed, and the relevant
data are recorded in sensor internal memory.

Using prefabrication processes allows sensor integration directly during timber elements manufacturing and
prefabrication. The sensors can work in stand-alone data logging mode and monitor parameters during stocking,
transportation and on-site construction. If there is no way to provide data online, they are stored in the internal
memory of the sensor and once it connects with any central unit sensor it will synchronize data history with
the cloud and switch to real-time monitoring. After building commissioning the same sensors will work in local
network providing real-time data to facility management or building owner.

The possible system solutions for life cycle timber elements monitoring, covering all life cycle phases of the
elements will be presented together with requirements for necessary data and communication infrastructure.

Keywords: timber element parameter monitoring, wood moisture content, sensor

Acknowledgment: The authors gratefully acknowledge receiving funding from the Ministry of Education, Youth
and Sports, in the Inter-Excellence programme, sub-programme Inter-Cost, project LUC23080 "Advanced
design procedures for key elements of multi-storey timber buildings".

14 11–12 SEPTEMBER 2024 I IZOLA, SLOVENIA