Advanced fiber-reinforced polymer-wood composites in transportation applications

Published: 2002

Author(s):

Dagher, H.
Bragdon, M.
Lindyberg, R.

Publication Name: Transportation Research Board National Research Council

Publication URL: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.3141/1814-28

Research Area:

Wood Composites

Keywords:

Composite Materials, Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP), Infrastructure Durability, Wood Composites

Abstract:

Six wood-fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite projects have been conducted over the past decade with three types of technologies developed at the University of Maine. The three featured technologies are (a) tension-reinforced glulam beams with preconsolidated E-glass FRP (GFRP) panels, (b) tension-reinforced glulam beams and panels with wet-impregnated E-glass fabrics, and (c) stress-laminated lumber using GFRP tendons. Through these six demonstration projects, it has been shown that properly designed wood-FRP composites are structurally feasible, durable, and cost-effective in selected applications.