Simulation of wood deformation processes in drying and other types of environmental loading

Deformation processes in wood exposed to drying and other types of environmental loading are simulated by use of the finite element method. In the material model applied, the orthotropic structure of the wood material is considered. The differences of properties in the longitudinal, radial and tangential directions for stiffness parameters as well as for moisture shrinkage parameters are taken into account. As an illustration of possible application areas, the deformation development of boards during drying is simulated. In the analyses, the influence of spiral grain and the variation of wood properties with the distance from the pith are considered. The simulation yields information about unfavourable deformations that develop during the drying process.