A Finite Element Study of the Shape Stability of Sawn Timber Subjected to Moisture Variations

Abstract: Shape instability in timber products exposed to moisture variation is a serious problem since it can make wood products unsuitable for construction purposes. In this thesis the finite element method has been used to simulate deformations during the drying process.….….…To investigate the influence of different parameters on drying deformations a parameter study was performed, the influence of different material parameters and of different constitutive models being studied. In addition, the influence of the spiral grain angle, the conical angle, the orientation of the growth rings, the cross section dimension and the drying profile was examined.