Hygric characterization of wood fiber insulation under uncertainty with dynamic measurements and Markov Chain Monte-Carlo algorithm

The characterization methodology does not require for the model structure to have a differentiable analytical formulation, or for material samples to reach mass equilibrium between each RH step of the experimental process. Two separate experimental designs were used for material characterization and for validation, respectively. Results show a clear relation between available information (experimental data) and inference (confidence intervals of parameters). A single relative humidity step is not informative enough for a precise inference of moisture-dependent properties such as vapour permeability and moisture capacity. A two-step experiment however holds enough information to significantly reduce parameter uncertainty.