Experimental investigation of flexural behavior of glulam beams reinforced with different bonding surface materials

Abstract

In this study, flexuralbehaviors of glue laminated timber beams manufactured from Pinussylvestristree were investigated by comparing the results with those of massive timber beams. The main variables considered in the study were number of laminations, types of adhesive materials and reinforcement nets used in the lamination surfaces. In scope of the experimental study, glue laminated beams with 5 and 3 lamination layers were manufactured with 90x90mm beam sections. In the lamination process epoxy and polyurethane glue were used. Morever, in order to improve the bond strength at the lamination surface, aluminium, fiberglass and steel wire nets were used at the lamination surfaces. Load–displacement responses, ultimate capacities, ductility ratios, initial stiffness, energy dissipation capacities and failure mechanisms of glue laminated beams were compared with those of massive beams. It was observed that the general bending responses of glue laminated beams were better than those of massive beams. In addition to that the use of reinforcement nets at the lamination surfaces increased the ultimate load capacities of the tested beams. The highest ultimate load capacities were oberved from the tests of glue laminated beams manufactured using five laminated layers and retrofitted with polyurethane glue using steel wire reinforcement nets, in the direction normal to the lamination surface. Finally, the finite element simulations of some test specimens were performed to observe the accuracy of finite element technology in the estimation of ultimate capacities of glue laminated timber beams.