Effect of FRP Reinforcement on Low Grade Eastern Hemlock Glulams
Published: 1996
Publication Name:
Publication URL: https://trid.trb.org/view/482226
Abstract:
The benefits of reinforcing glulam beams made with eastern hemlock, an under-utilized wood species in the state of Maine, are discussed. Nine beams reinforced with fiber-reinforced plastics (FRP) on the tension side and three unreinforced controls were instrumented and tested to failure in four-point bending. Low, medium, and high quality wood were used in the experimental study. FRP reinforcement ratios ranged from 0.3% to 3.1%. A nonlinear numerical model that predicts the performance of the RFP-glulam beams through the entire load was developed and its predictions are compared with the test results.