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Two-dimensional finite element heat transfer model of softwood. Part II, Macrostructural effects

Informally Refereed

Abstract

A two-dimensional finite element model was used to study the effects of structural features on transient heat transfer in softwood lumber with various orientations. Transient core temperature was modeled for lumber samples “cut” from various locations within a simulated log. The effects of ring orientation, earlywood to latewood (E/L) ratio, and ring density were related to transient heat transfer. Quartersawn lumber was predicted to have a higher heat transfer rate than that of plainsawn lumber, and lumber containing pith may have a lower hear transfer rate than peripheral lumber. The model predicts that the denser the wood material, the slower the transient core temperature response. The effects of heat transfer and thermal storage (thermal diffusivity) are discussed. The two- dimensional finite element model is useful for studying transient heat flow in softwood lumber cut from my location in a log. The development of the model is described in Part I of this series. Part III addresses the effects of moisture content on thermal conductivity. Pan N addresses the effects of moisture content on and transient heat transfer in lumber.

Keywords

Finite element analysis, transient heat transfer, ring orientation, earlywood/latewood ratio, density, thermal conductivity

Citation

Gu, Hongmei; Hunt, John F. 2006. Two-dimensional finite element heat transfer model of softwood. Part II, Macrostructural effects. Wood and fiber science. Vol. 38, no. 4 (2006): pages 599-608.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/26025