NUMERICAL STUDY OF DRYING STRESSES IN AGAR-GEL

A numerical model of isothermal drying of deformable substances is pro posed. The model is applied in a uni-directional case to analysis of w ater transport in a sphere of agar gel. The simulation program makes i t possible to calculate the water content fields and deformations and stresses in the sphere during drying. Validation of the water content profile results is proposed by the experimental study of the dehydrati on of gel spheres in a sugar solution. The sensitivity of internal str esses to drying conditions is then analysed.