Measuring moisture content in building materials with Time-Domain Reflectometry: pros, cons and first results

Measuring moisture content in construction materials is extremely important both for professional practice as well as for research. However, this is a very complex task, especially when long-term minor destructive measurements are desired. The time-domain reflectometry (TDR) technique is frequently used for soil moisture measurements, but its application in construction materials is considered a relatively new method, particularly for low-porosity building materials. In this paper, the challenges of using the TDR technique for moisture content measurement in construction materials, as well as its major advantages are discussed. In addition, the TDR method was tested in two different materials: limestone and solid brick. The obtained results suggest that the TDR technique is suitable for moisture content measurements in both materials, encouraging future applications and further developments. Peer-review under the responsibility of the organizing committee of the ICMB21.