Numerical modelling of climate-induced fracture and deformation in wood: Application to historical museum objects

Damage in oak wood museum objects under indoor climate variations (relative humidity, temperature) is studied using a thermo-hygro-mechanical model. The model incorporates the effects of moisture sorption hysteresis and discrete cracking, implemented within finite element framework staggered update procedure. Sorption experiments were performed order to calibrate basic features coupled formulation are stepwisely demonstrated by solving response specimen sequence loading conditions increasing complexity. These simulations show that deformation fracture generated thermal representative minor compared contributions caused relative humidity variations. Subsequently, hygro-mechanical an cabinet door panel analysed drop from 60% 20%, results those obtained experiments. numerical experimental good agreement, indicate at connection between cleated end vertical boards restrained hygric shrinkage maximal, which stimulates local crack development. susceptibility only becomes activated after has reached certain age, as effect aging induces decrease tensile strength perpendicular grain direction with time. Further, when initial content lies on desorption boundary curve, amount larger it adsorption curve. Also, nucleates specific whereby growth continuous initially develops relatively fast, but stage decreases substantially (almost) zero reaching fully developed failure crack. location orientation this accordance situ observations historical cabinets.