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ABSTRACT
The mechanical response and durability of timber structures is highly influenced by the atmospheric conditions. Wood mechanical properties depend on moisture content, on temperature and on their variations. To study the lifetime of timber components in their environment, climatic variations are simulated and a lifetime model is proposed. The model predicts the incubation time and the time of crack propagation until the failure. As temperature has a smaller influence on the time to failure than relative humidity, its effects are not directly taken into account in the model. Predictions of the proposed model for various air humidity simulations are compared to creep test results obtained on notched beams under various climatic conditions.