Experimental investigation of timber beams strengthened by bamboo scrimber with anchorage structure

Abstract

A novel method for bamboo scrimber strengthening timber beams with anchorage structures was proposed. Bamboo scrimber was adhered to the bottom of the timber beam and anchored with carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRPs) or wooden pins. Through the bending tests of eight reinforced beams and two control beams, the effects of different forms of anchorage and thicknesses of bamboo scrimber on the strengthening effect of timber beams were studied. The failure characteristics of the timber beams were observed, and the ultimate load, stiffness and ductility were analyzed. The results show that the failure modes of timber beams can be divided into bending failure and bending-shear failure and that the timber beams exhibit obvious signs of ductile deformation before failure. The ultimate bearing capacity of the reinforced beams increased by approximately 20%–70%, and the cross-sectional stiffness at the serviceability limit state increased by approximately 40%–160%. The test results confirm that CFRPs and wooden pins can firmly adhere to the timber beam and bamboo scrimber, so the bamboo scrimber strengthening timber beams with anchorage structures can substantially increase the ultimate bearing capacity and stiffness and improve the ductility of the member.