Abstract
Poplar plants with peculiar characteristics grow extensively and naturally in the Northern Hemisphere, and such poplar is the main timber material in Xinjiang, China. However, poplar has defects that affect its ultimate bearing capacity. This study investigates the flexural behavior of the timber members from poplar. Three lengths of basalt fiber-reinforced polymer (BFRP) strips were used to strengthen timber beams from poplar with rectangular cross-sections. From the experimental data, the timber beams strengthened by 1900-mm-long and 50-mm-wide BFRP strips showed the best ultimate bearing capacity and maximum deflection of mid-span compared with the other two strengthened beams. The increments were 77.8% and 110.1% compared with the control beam. The assumption “plane section remains plane” remains practicable in the poplar beams bonded by BFRP strips, and the neutral axis of the strengthened beams had a tendency to move toward the tensile zone. Furthermore, the processes of the flexural behavior of the specimens were simulated by finite element analysis modeling, but all the analyzed values of ultimate bearing capacity and deflection of the beams are higher than those of the experiment. These values can roughly be used as reference for experimental results. However, accurate modeling should be developed and modified in subsequent research on timber beams from Xinjiang poplar.
Highlights
The application of wooden structures has a thousandyear history in China
In pioneering studies [7], timber beams wrapped in Glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) were studied, and the results showed that the ultimate flexural strength was increased with minimal increase in beam thickness
Yang et al [12] conducted experimental research on the flexural behavior of timber beams retrofitted with Carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) and GFRP sheets; the results showed that the ultimate flexural strength of strengthened members improved by 17.7–77.3% compared with the control ones
Summary
The application of wooden structures has a thousandyear history in China. Many wooden structures, such as palaces, dwellings, and temples, which were built in different historical periods are found in China, Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asian countries [1]. Yang et al [12] conducted experimental research on the flexural behavior of timber beams retrofitted with CFRP and GFRP sheets; the results showed that the ultimate flexural strength of strengthened members improved by 17.7–77.3% compared with the control ones. Based on research of the flexural behavior of timber beams, all the strengthened specimens were bonded with BFRP sheets at the bottom.
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