Hygromechanical behaviour of wooden composites

SummaryThe objective of this research is to study the moisture deformation of densified in technological pressing wooden composite materials. By generalizing Cosserat's couple-stress theory a structural model for determination of mid-surface strains and curvatures of composite board taking into account asymmetric structure and nonuniform distribution of moisture as well as nonlinear swelling functions of the wooden stuff and dependence of strain characteristics on moisture content is developed. On the basis of a laminate analogy the optimum flake or veneer alignment in board has been estimated for the real composite production process. According to analysis performed, the optimum alignment for hygromechanical properties may not coincide with that for mechanical properties, and for every type of loading, material with a definite structure should be used.