Uncertainty analysis of FRP reinforced timber beams

摘要

Timber has been a popular building material for centuries and offers significant sustainable credentials, high mechanical and durability properties. Availability, ease to use, convenience and economy have made timber the most used construction material in history but, as it is a natural material, uncertainty in its mechanical characteristics is considerably higher than man-made structural materials. National codes and engineers usually employ high factor of safety to incorporate timber strength uncertainty in design of new structures and reinforcement of existing ones. This paper presents the results of 221 bending tests carried out on unreinforced and reinforced soft- and hardwood beams (fir and oalcwood) and illustrates the reinforcement effect on timber capacity and strength uncertainty.