Flexural reinforcement of glulam beams with CFRP plates

Abstract

In recent years the use of fiber reinforced polymer composites for strengthening and repairing structural elements has significantly increased. This paper shows an experimental study carried out in order to demonstrate the effective use of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) plates as flexural reinforcement of glulam beams. Altogether 20 reinforced beams and 8 unreinforced control beams were tested up to failure in a four-point bending configuration. Three different reinforcement schemes were considered. The bending behaviour of beams was analysed through their load-deflection relationship, failure mode, ultimate load capacity, stiffness and strain profile distribution. The addition of CFRP reinforcement to tension zone of glulam beams resulted in improvement in the strength, stiffness as well as ductility. The distance of the CFRP plate from the centre of cross section proved to have a very high impact on the effect of reinforcement.