Modeling the consolidation of wood strand mat

While pursuing an overall understanding of wood-based composite manufacture, a fundamental model has been developed to describe the mechanical behavior of wood strand mats during hot pressing. The model is based on theories that incorporate structural non-linearities in the stress-strain behavior of the mat, the viscoelastic behavior of the wood constituents, and the time-temperature-moisture interaction during hot pressing. This paper describes a Monte Carlo simulation procedure to reconstruct random strand mat structures and a mathematical model to predict the tress-strain behavior of the mat during consolidation. Finally, a modified model is discussed to accommodate the effect of heat and moisture on the stress development during hot pressing as a response of compression strain. Statistical and experimental validation of the simulation procedure and model predictions are outlined.