Wood in storage is exposed to both periodic water absorption and
desorption processes. The water absorption by wood frequently assumes great
importance, especially in the structural uses of wood (Baronas et al., 2001). In
residential buildings and in industrial applications, some components are often
wood or wood-based (Candanedo and Derome, 2005). These components are
exposed to the contact with liquid water, for example wetted by rain or by water
infiltration. Thus, wood is always undergoing changes in moisture content.
Understanding water absorption by wood during soaking is of practical
importance, since it affects the mechanical properties of the product. The effects
of moisture content on the mechanical properties of wood have been the subject
of an intense investigation worldwide (Gerhards, 1998; Obataya et al., 1998;
Severa et al., 2003). All strength properties decrease as wood adsorbs moisture in
the hygroscopic range. Important properties such as modulus of rupture and
compressive strength parallel to gram may decrease up to 4 and 6 percent,
respectively, for each percent increase in moisture content (Bendtsen, 1966).