Computer simulation of timber beams strengthened using glass fiber reinforced polymer

Abstract

This research was conducted to predict the bending strength and stiffness of timber beams strengthened with glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) rods using finite element modelling. Seven timber beams of Yellow Meranti species were modelled into computer software. One of the beams was used as a control beam (unstrengthened), while the remaining six beams were strengthened with different GFRP area. The results from finite element analysis were compared with experimental results. The load carrying capacity and the stiffness of the strengthened beams were increased between 7.6-47.8% and 2.0-14.2% respectively when the GFRP area is between 0,15-0.42%. When the finite element and experimental results were compared, the difference was between 0.6 to 8% and 7.5 to 24% for load carrying capacity and stiffness respectively. The stiffness values were more sensitive because it depends much on the initial slope of the elastic region. The finite element method can be used as a tool to predict the bending behaviour of unstrengthened and strengthened beams.