Laminate configuration for reinforcing glulam beams

摘要

A reinforcing lamina sheet and a process of making a reinforcing sheet for use in a glue laminated beam. The reinforcing lamina sheet increases the compressive and/or tensile strength of the glue laminate beam. The lamina sheet is formed from unidirectionally oriented reinforcing filaments, preferably aramid filaments in an epoxy resin, and is cured in a curved configuration. The resulting lamina sheet includes filaments which are uniformly tensioned and, therefore, when a load is applied to the glue laminate beam having the reinforcing lamina sheet, the fibers receive the load substantially simultaneously. The process of forming the lamina sheet includes drawing reinforcement yarns through a resin bath to form a resin impregnated substantially planar yarn band, contacting one side of the resulting impregnated band with a curved heated surface to promote partial curing of at least the contacting surface of the band, and further applying heat to at least the opposite side of the partially cured band.