Numerical Analysis of the Cutting Forces in Timber

Abstract

This paper presents an incremental approach based on the theories of continuum damage and anisotropic plasticity to model the forces that develop during timber cutting. The model used is based on the thermodynamics of irreversible processes with state variables and takes into account the coupling among orthotropic elasticity, anisotropic plasticity, and damage. The aim is to contribute to the development of simulation tools needed to optimize industrial cutting processes. Validation of the model, implemented using existing finite-element (FE) software, is carried out by simulating the forces that develop during the cutting of wooden planks and tree trunks of different timber species. It was found that there is good agreement between the predicted and measured cutting forces.