Fungal growth on the surface layer of grown wood under variable boundary conditions

Fungal growth on wood precedes its biodegradation. Current models of mold growth are based on laboratory experiments where the material sample is in heat-moisture equilibrium with the surrounding environment. However, equilibrium is rarely achieved in real building construction conditions, and standard mold growth models may fail here. The aim of the project is to deepen the understanding of fungal growth on spruce wood exposed to variable boundary conditions. The project will primarily be focused on heat-moisture bonds between the surface layer of the substrate, the fungi occupying its surface and the boundary layer. These bonds will be studied by laboratory and numerical experiments. Part of the experiments will be the characterization of the thermal-humidity properties of wood samples and their thermal-humidity and microbiological response to variable boundary conditions. The outputs of the project will help to improve current fungal growth models for mature wood.