Realistic Modelling and Simulation of Timber Structures

Simulation results are presented to illustrate new methods and models for analyzing irreversible damage processes in wooden structures. The new developments include methods for the simulation of hygro-mechanical long-term loading, of crack propagation based on representative crack elements, of the insertion of nails and of hygro-thermo-mechanical wood forming under large deformations. Furthermore, approaches for analyzing the uncertainty of material characteristics of wooden structures made by wood forming processes are presented, which enable a reliable evaluation of structural systems. The examples presented illustrate the strength of the methods for the numerical analysis of structures of practical relevance made of wood, taking into account highly complex, non-linear material behaviour of a building material that exhibits naturally scattering characteristics.