Hygro-thermal numerical models for stress-laminated timber decks

In this paper FEM simulations based on the recent advances in hygro-thermal modelling of wood are carried out for the stress-laminated timber deck (SLTD) of a timber bridge exposed to Northern climates. The work compares the performance of two different FEM models that were implemented in Abaqus code and have been also used in earlier works. The first model is based on a simple single-Fickian approach which uses only the moisture content as a variable and the second one is a full coupled analysis based on the multi-Fickian theory with sorption hysteresis of wood. Both models were previously verified for cases of wooden specimens in laboratory conditions as well as for bridge elements under warm Mediterranean climates. The first results of hygro-thermal simulations of a Norwegian bridge deck provide useful suggestions for the future development of numerical models for timber bridge elements under Northern climates.