Finite volume method for analysis of stress and strain in wood

This paper presents a numerical method (the finite volume method) for analysing stress and strain in wood as a solid body. The method is very simple and easy to use. It starts from an integral form of the equations governing momentum, heat and mass balance. Second-order in both time and space finite volume discretisation is performed using the corresponding constitutive relations, resulting in a set of algebraic equations, which are then solved by an efficient segregated iterative procedure. In order to demonstrate the method’s possibilities, stress and deformation are analysed in a loaded chair and in wood samples during the process of wood drying and steaming.