Engineered wood flooring (EWF) is gaining in popularity since it appeared in Europe in the 70’s. 40% of the wood flooring installed in the USA is EWF and 75% are EWF in Europe. In layered wood composites such as engineered wood flooring, dimensional stability is of primary importance. The non-homogeneous adsorption or desorption of moisture by the composite may induce cupping, thus decreasing product value. These products were developed by the industry with the result that knowledge on the product and its behaviour is very limited. The objective of this study is to develop a finite element model of the hygromechanical cupping induced by moisture desorption in layered wood composites. The model is based on two sets of equations, 1) the three-dimensional equation of unsteady state moisture diffusion, and 2) the three-dimensional equations of elasticity including an orthotropic Hooke’s law, which takes into account the shrinkage, and swelling of each layer. The model was used to assess 34 different constructions. Results may be used as guideline in the design of new engineered wood flooring construction.
Ce projet constitue le programme d'etude de maitrise d'une etudiante (Annick Tremblay) du departement d'informatique de l'Universite Laval. Les objectifs etaient de developper un algorigthme d'optimisation des operations de delignage et d'eboutage ainsi que de proposer un algorithme effectuant le positionnement optimal des pieces a debiter. L'algorithme choisi pour le delignage et l'eboutage est fonde sur une technique d'optimisation appellee programmation dynamique. Pour sa part, l'algorithme de positionnement fait appel a une technique de subdivision d'intervalles. L'algorithme de positionnement ameliore de 76% le temps de traitement par rapport a l'algorithme de recherche exhaustive (force brute) generalement utilise.
This paper describes and evaluates new and existing models for exterior log geometry. Compatibility with 1,2,3, and 4-axis shadow scanners determined which models were selected for evaluation. Models were considered for potential use in sawmilling process simulation and optimization. The accuracy evaluation compared models based upon lost and added fiber percentages. All models tended to overestimate log cross section area. Popular circular and elliptical models provided the poorest accuracy. Elliptical models used with 2-axis or 3-axis scanners generated up to 8% lost fiber and up to 15% added fiber. The 3-axis dyadic and Chaikin models provided the best overall performance : lost fiber under 3.5% and added fiber under 13%. Results from the evaluation recommend a 3-axis scanner system for automatic positioning and breakdown optimization. The small benefit obtained from 4-axis models does not justify their use. Other technologies are recommended where better accuracy is needed.
Ce projet consiste a diriger en collaboration avec un professeur de l'Universite Laval une etudiante inscrite a la maitrise au departement d'informatique de la Faculte des sciences. Le sujet de la recherche concerne l'optimisation des operations de delignage et d'eboutage. Ce rapport fait etat de l'avancement des travaux.
