Equilibrium moisture content map for Laos

Abstract

Providing the equilibrium moisture content values for territories is important for avoiding major problems due to dimensional changes in wooden products. This study evaluated the average equilibrium moisture content values for twelve months (from 1981 to 2020) for Laos and produced an equilibrium moisture content map. A model was used to generate the equilibrium moisture content values based on temperature and relative humidity data obtained from the POWER Data Access Viewer v2.0.0. for 18 provinces (148 districts) based on the geographic coordinates of each district in Laos. The lowest equilibrium moisture content (12% to 13%) values were found in Vientiane Capital City, Vientiane province, Louangprabang, Bokeo, Attapeu, Louang Namtha, Oudomxay, Houaphan, Sayaburi, Savannakhet, Salavan, and Champasak province. The rest of the districts, which had an equilibrium moisture content ranging from 13% to 16%, were mostly found on the eastern part of Laos and a small part of Northern Laos. The monthly swinging average value of the equilibrium moisture content ranged from 10% to 18% across the country. The equilibrium moisture content values for each district in Laos were also defined.