Adaptive and stochastic finite element analysis in drying

The focus of this paper is on the use of new advances in the finite element method to model and analyze drying problems, with emphasis on biological, food and grain materials. It presents the current status of the use of nume rical analysis for such process, and emphasizes the need and advantages of incorporating adaptive and stochastic strategies into the finite element an alysis. The existing literature on the application of the adaptive and stoc hastic finite elements is reviewed in conjunction with the relevant advance s in this area. A new perturbation-based stochastic methodology for nonline ar and transient drying problems is formulated and presented in detail. The specific application of this new methodology to drying is under developmen t. In conclusion, tracks for future research in this field are proposed.