The aim of this paper is to present a mixed experimental–numerical approach to evaluate the moisture content (MC) in Douglas fir samples through the use of electrical resistivity measurements. Elevated MC levels constitute the greatest threat to both physical and mechanical properties in timber structures. A reliable MC estimation process is considered a key to ensuring high durability, a long service life and low maintenance costs. In this study, a measurement system typically employed for electrical prospecting in the field of geophysics has been adapted to determine the electrical resistivity of wood. This approach-based tool is essentially a megohmmeter measuring the electrical resistance of wood using two pairs of needle-shaped probes inserted into the material. For this purpose, specific cables and electrodes have been developed. Using samples conditioned in a climate-controlled room, a number of key factors in MC estimation, such as electrode configuration and temperature, were investigated. These results are analyzed in order to both optimize the experimental protocol for future in situ applications and point out the experimental limitations associated with this measurement tool.

本文的目的是提出一种混合实验-数字方法，通过使用电阻率测量来评估花旗松样品中的水分含量（MC）。MC水平升高对木材结构的物理和机械性能构成最大威胁。可靠的MC估算过程被认为是确保高耐用性，长使用寿命和低维护成本的关键。在这项研究中，已将通常用于地球物理领域中的电勘探的测量系统调整为确定木材的电阻率。这种基于方法的工具本质上是一个兆欧表，它使用插入材料中的两对针形探针来测量木材的电阻。为此目的，已经开发了特定的电缆和电极。使用在气候可控房间中调节过的样品，调查了MC估算中的许多关键因素，例如电极配置和温度。对这些结果进行了分析，以便针对将来的原位应用优化实验方案，并指出与该测量工具相关的实验局限性。