Study of strengthening solutions for glued-laminated wood beams of maritime pine wood

The application of the concept of glued-laminated wood (glulam) to improve the mechanical properties of the solid wood of the maritime pine (Pinus pinaster) is the subject of this work. Two reinforced glued-laminated wood beams are proposed and assessed. The first is based on a concept of laminated wood composite with fiber glass: the second is based on the application of pultruded lamellas glued to the most stressed tensile region of the glued-laminated beams. In order to demonstrate the potential of the proposed strengthening solutions, a comparison between their mechanical behaviors and the mechanical behaviors of the conventional glued-laminated and solid beams are performed. Static load-deflection curves, an equivalent Young's modulus, the ultimate strain and modulus of rupture are determined using 3-point quasi-static bending tests. In general, it is demonstrated the beneficial effect of the proposed strengthening solutions both in terms of resistance and ductility. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.