Microscopic computed tomography aided finite element modelling as a methodology to estimate hygroexpansion coefficients of wood: a case study on opposite and compression wood in softwood branches

Abstract Microscopic X-ray computed tomography (XµCT) aided finite element (FE) modelling is a popular method in material science to relate material properties to heterogeneous microstructures. Recently, a methodology was developed for the XµCT aided FE modelling of wood, which characterises the process from specimen preparation to estimation of material properties. In the current research, this methodology is tested on branches of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) to estimate the hygroexpansion coefficients of opposite (OW) and compression wood (CW). These properties are largely unknown and have engineering implications. The study is complemented by measurements of density, moisture content (MC) and elastic moduli. Results showed that the methodology assisted in the design of an integrated process and the identification of bottlenecks. It was seen that the level of detail of the numerical model had a strong influence on the obtained hygroexpansion properties. CW from branches showed higher density and longitudinal shrinkage coefficients, and elastic moduli less affected by MC. These differences are unlikely caused by MC, but more likely by the characteristics of the microstructure.