Experimental and numerical investigation of flexural properties of larch beams reinforced with different layer numbers

Abstract

Recent applications demonstrated how fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites can improve the structural capabilities of glulam beams, particularly regarding their flexural and shear strength. With the development of precise numerical models, such systems can be optimized. There is currently a dearth of information in the literature on numerical models that can accurately anticipate the nonlinear behavior of low-grade glued laminated timber beams reinforced with FRP. In this study, larch beams were reinforced with carbon fiber reinforced polymer fabric 1, 2 and 3 layers. The effect of the number of floors on the flexural properties of the beams in reinforcement was investigated experimentally and numerically. As a result of the study, the best flexural properties were achieved with 3-layer reinforcement. It was observed that 1- and 2-layer reinforcement compared to the reference beam were also significantly effective. Numerical analyzes gave close values with experimental test results. As a result of comparing the results obtained from the numerical model with the experimental findings, it was concluded that the FRP fabric managed to significantly increase the performance of larch timber. The model is a useful tool for examining the effect of reinforcement coefficient and will be used for optimization of the larch beam.Recent applications demonstrated how fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites can improve the structural capabilities of glulam beams, particularly regarding their flexural and shear strength. With the development of precise numerical models, such systems can be optimized. There is currently a dearth of information in the literature on numerical models that can accurately anticipate the nonlinear behavior of low-grade glued laminated timber beams reinforced with FRP. In this study, larch beams were reinforced with carbon fiber reinforced polymer fabric 1, 2 and 3 layers. The effect of the number of floors on the flexural properties of the beams in reinforcement was investigated experimentally and numerically. As a result of the study, the best flexural properties were achieved with 3-layer reinforcement. It was observed that 1- and 2-layer reinforcement compared to the reference beam were also significantly effective. Numerical analyzes gave close values with experimental test results. As a result of comparing the results obtained from the numerical model with the experimental findings, it was concluded that the FRP fabric managed to significantly increase the performance of larch timber. The model is a useful tool for examining the effect of reinforcement coefficient and will be used for optimization of the larch beam.