Experimental and statistical analysis of spruce timber beams reinforced with CFRP fabric

• Published in: Construction & building materials Vol. 99; pp. 200 - 207
• Main Authors: Andor, K., Lengyel, A., Polgár, R., Fodor, T., Karácsonyi, Z.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 30-11-2015; Elsevier B.V
• Subjects: Analysis; CFRP; Concrete; Four-point bending test; Mechanical properties; Norway spruce; Statistical evaluation; Wooden beams; United States; Four-point bending test; Norway spruce; Statistical evaluation; CFRP
• ISSN: 0950-0618
• DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2015.09.026

•We made experiments on reinforcement of Norway spruce beams with CFRP fabric.•Load-bearing capacity of four-point bending tests and stiffness were determined.•Detailed statistical analysis of measurement data were conducted.•Test specimens were grouped and evaluated according to their mechanical behaviour.•Reinforcement increases load-bearing of spruce beams by 30%, stiffness by 16%.
Enhancement of timber beams with fibre reinforced materials gained momentum in the last few decades producing a wide range of materials, techniques and modelling methods. Experiments show that the potential improvement of structural behaviour is greatly affected by the type of reinforcement, wood species, etc. In this study a series of experiments were conducted on sawn Norway spruce beams reinforced with various amounts of CFRP sheets (carbon fibre reinforced plastic) followed by a statistical analysis. A moderate increase of load-bearing capacity and ductility (approx. 30%) and a small increase of elastic stiffness (approx. 16%) can be achieved. Statistical analysis of the results has shown that the performance of reinforced spruce beams is affected by the presence of knots in the material.