Representative volume element (RVE) and the prediction of mechanical properties of diffuse porous hardwood

Simplification of the structure of diffuse porous wood by a representative volume element (RVE) was studied in this paper. Elastic constants were derived by application of the mechanics of composites. Using the relationship between mechanical properties and longitudinal elastic modulus of RVE, the accuracy of longitudinal elastic modulus and the feasibility of the established RVE model were validated by testing mechanical properties of four species. The results showed that the error rate between the theoretical and the experimental values falls around or below 30 %. Taken together, it is feasible to simplify the structure of diffuse porous wood with the RVE model. Furthermore, the established RVE allows the possibility of using other types of hardwood species as well. This RVE model may also provide quantitative description of mechanical properties changes caused by anatomy structure and chemical components.