This work compares a conventional continuous drying schedule
with a solar cyclic drying schedule for the seasoning of an Australian
hardwood timber, Eucalyptus grandis, focusing on the simulated
stresses and strains developed during drying as a measure of timber
quality. The cyclic drying schedule has been found to give lower
instantaneous strains, due to the effect of mechanosorptive strains
in relieving stresses both in the initial stages of drying and over
the entire drying period. The gentler initial drying conditions during
cyclic drying are also beneficial compared to the harsher and unmodulated
nature of conventional drying schedules. Without the modulation
of the external drying conditions in intermittent or cyclic
drying, the mechanosorptive strains are unable to relax or mitigate
the stresses that are caused naturally by timber drying. There is
some support for these conclusions by comparison with industrial
experience and previous laboratory practice for intermittent and
cyclic drying.