Optimization of thermal modification of wood by genetic algorithm and classical mathematical analysis

The use of wood in outdoor conditions is of great importance for the service life of wood, and the process of thermal modification (TM) directly affects the effective value of wood products. This paper presents theoretical and experimental studies of the parameters influencing TM of wood on the changes of its physical and mechanical properties. Experimental studies were performed on thermally modified wood samples for different values of the influential parameters of thermal modification: T (°C), t (h) and ρ (g·cm–3), while the tensile strength was obtained as the output parameter. The obtained experimental data were stochastically modelled and compared with the model obtained by genetic programming. The optimization of processing parameters was performed by classical mathematical analysis and compared with the results obtained by optimization with genetic algorithm. The results of the optimal design parameters obtained by different approaches to optimization were compared and based on that the analysis of the characteristics of the presented techniques was conducted.