Abstract
The influence of elevated temperatures on mechanical behavior of glued laminated timber beams is examined on the basis of tensile tests. Dog bone samples prepared from beams exposed to fire of variable duration were categorized with respect to the type and position of the failure crack, type and number of discontinuities such as knots, and the level of browning. The acquired experimental results suggest that the wood variability and the effect of growth discontinuities are probably more significant than the effect of elevated temperatures. To support this conclusion, further study is currently under way, exploring samples from the second series of the fire tests.
Highlights
Glued laminated timber (GLT) is a promising renewable material enabling wood to be used for more complex constructions
The influence of elevated temperatures on mechanical behavior of glued laminated timber beams is examined on the basis of tensile tests
Dog bone samples prepared from beams exposed to fire of variable duration were categorized with respect to the type and position of the failure crack, type and number of discontinuities such as knots, and the level of browning
Summary
Glued laminated timber (GLT) is a promising renewable material enabling wood to be used for more complex constructions. In this regard, the wood combustibility plays an important role which must be taken into account in every design. A certain layer is affected by an elevated temperature and is assumed to have zero strength and stiffness. The authors provide the zero-strength layer for bending in the range of 9.5 to 20.1 mm. At least 7 mm below the char-line, i.e. the base of the char layer, the material is expected to have lower load bearing capacity than in the remaining part of the cross-section, which in turn is considered unaffected
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