![\"Close-up](\"https:\/\/teknoprogettisrl.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/teknoprogetti-quadrante-sclerometro-lettura-travetto-solaio-xlam-200x300.jpg\")
<\/p>\nIn March 2025, Teknoprogetti Engineering was commissioned by the school administration \u2014 following formal approval by the competent authorities \u2014 to carry out a campaign of instrumental investigations on the timber structure of a school building under construction in the Municipality of Frassinoro (MO). The entire elevated structure is built with prefabricated Cross-Laminated Timber (X-Lam) panels. During construction, the Site Supervisor and the Works Director had visually detected moisture on several load-bearing elements: the problem had to be quantified before finishes covered everything. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The critical point with timber structures is this: a wet X-Lam panel can look intact on the surface even when moisture has already reached the core of the section. This is why visual inspection is not enough \u2014 instrumentation is needed. This is a typical case of Non-Destructive Testing<\/a> as a method of analysis. We carried out the campaign on 20 sample elements \u2014 columns, walls, portal beams, ridge beams, floor decking \u2014 for a total of 31 Resistograph measurements, supplemented by rebound-hammer tests and moisture measurements using the electrical method, in accordance with the UNI standards in force. The moisture data confirmed the localised anomalies: on the exposed window reveal, in the area below the sill, we measured 39.6% \u2014 well beyond the reference threshold for a building under construction. On the floor decking, in contact with filling material soaked with water from infiltrations through the not-yet-completed roof, the values were between 28% and 38%. <\/p>\n This is where the Resistograph<\/strong> came in: a 3 mm drill bit penetrated each element for the full depth of the cross-section, continuously measuring resistance to penetration. The result \u2014 all 31 measurements \u2014 showed constant, homogeneous profiles with no drops in the curve that would indicate rot, voids or layer separation.<\/p>\n
\nThe diagnosis was clear: infiltrations had increased moisture locally, but biological decay had not had time to compromise the internal structure of the panels. No structural elements needed replacement. The Works Director was able to prescribe targeted controlled drying measures and monitoring, avoiding invasive intervention and additional construction time.
\nHigh moisture in timber is a signal that cannot be ignored \u2014 but it is not automatically structural damage. The difference lies in correct instrumental diagnosis. <\/p>\n