Bending Stiffness, Load-Bearing Capacity and Flexural Rigidity of Slender Hybrid Wood-Based Beams

Abstract

Modern architecture suggests the use of opened spaces with large transparent envelope surfaces. Therefore, windows of long widths and large heights are needed. In order to withstand the wind loads, such wooden windows can be reinforced with stiffer materials, such as aluminium (Al), glass-fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP), and carbon-fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP). The bending stiffness, load-bearing capacity, and flexural rigidity of hybrid beams, reinforced with aluminium, were compared through experimental analysis, using a four-point bending tests method, with those of reference wooden beams. The largest increases in bending stiffness (29%–39%), load-bearing capacity (33%–45%), and flexural rigidity (43%–50%) were observed in the case of the hybrid beams, with the highest percentage of reinforcements (12.9%—six reinforcements in their tensile and six reinforcements in their compressive zone). The results of the experiments confirmed the high potential of using hybrid beams to produce large wooden windows, for different wind zones, worldwide.