Strength of wood reinforced with a polymer composite for crumpling across the fibers

Abstract

Abstract A method for strengthening beams on a support with a polymer composite based on fiberglass and an epoxy matrix with the inclusion of carbon nanotubes in its composition is proposed. To prove the effectiveness of reinforcement and determine quantitative and qualitative characteristics, experimental studies were conducted on standard wooden samples with and without reinforcement. Before conducting the experiment, it was planned in order to achieve maximum measurement accuracy with a minimum number of experiments and maintain the statistical reliability of the results. As a result of planning, a multi-factor formula was obtained for determining the strength of the sample depending on any combination of three variable factors: the reinforcement coefficient, the quantitative component of carbon nanotubes, and the curing temperature of the composite. The tests were performed under normal conditions. As a result of compression tests across the fibers of experimental samples, it was found that the strength limit of reinforced samples in comparison with wooden ones without reinforcement increases to 39 %, and the destruction is plastic.