@phdthesis{8696441,
  abstract     = {{Bio-based building materials are made from renewable resources and produced with
considerably less energy and associated carbon emissions than many traditional building
materials. This makes them essential building elements in the much needed transition
towards a more sustainable building industry. Many bio-based building materials are (to some
extent) biodegradable, an excellent quality at the end of a material’s service life as it solves
waste issues, but a less desirable feature during use. When an organic material is exposed to
favourable moisture and temperature conditions as well as to degrading organisms, its
functional and aesthetic service life can decrease. The risk of fungal decay depends on the
environmental conditions and the material resistance.

The purpose of this PhD thesis was to determine how different material characteristics affect
the decay risk of bio-based building materials. A test method was developed to assess the
importance of material chemistry as compared to material structure and moisture dynamics
on durability. State-of-the-art methods (LFNMR, IR, X-ray CT) were applied to better
understand the moisture dynamics of wood-based panels and bio-based insulation materials
and a method was developed to assess the influence of material structure on decay progress
with X-ray CT. As material moisture dynamics and structure have a (major) influence on
durability and decay risk, there is a great opportunity to tailor bio-based building materials for
diversified end uses and moisture conditions, ensuring an increased service life.}},
  author       = {{De Ligne, Liselotte}},
  isbn         = {{9789463573962}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  pages        = {{179}},
  publisher    = {{Universiteit Gent. Faculteit Bio-ingenieurswetenschappen}},
  school       = {{Ghent University}},
  title        = {{Fungal susceptibility of bio-based building materials}},
  year         = {{2021}},
}