Flexural strengthening of timber beams using glass fibre reinforced polymer

Abstract

This research was conducted to investigate the bending behavior of timber beams strengthened with glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) rods. Seven timber beams of Yellow Meranti species with the di- mensions of 100 × 200 × 3000 mm were tested. One of the beams was used as a control beam (unstreng- thened) while the remaining six beams were strengthened before tested to failure under four point loading. The bending behavior of the beams was studied through their load-deflection characteristics and strain distribution across the depth of the beam upon loading and also the failure modes. The results showed that the strengthened beams performed better than the control beam. The ultimate load has increased between 20 - 30% for the strengthened beams when compared to the control beam. The stiffness increased between 24 - 60% for the strengthened beams. The beam is categorized as under-reinforced, balance- reinforced, and over- reinforced if the percentage of GFRP rod is less than 0.32%, between 0.32 - 0.35%, and greater than 0.35%, respectively. GFRP rod bonding system has a good potential to be used in the new construction or rehabilita- tion process of timber structures.