Multi-Span Composite Timber Beams with Rational Steel Reinforcements

Abstract

Wooden multi-span beams with steel reinforcement were studied experimentally on a stationary stand using an eight-point loading scheme that simulated a load uniformly distributed over the beam span. The studies were carried out on beams with a span of 4.8 m with a cross-sectional area of 40 mm × 80 mm, reinforced in the stretched zones of the cross-section with rods made of hot-rolled steel reinforcement of A400 class. The rational zones for the location of reinforcements in the tensioned and compressed zones of the beams were determined. The rational placements of reinforcement in the support and span zones was based on the numerical simulation of the volumetric stress state calculated using the finite element method. It was experimentally confirmed that the failure of wood composite beams had a plastic nature and occurred only along normal sections. This excluded the possibility of brittle fracture from shear stresses and ensured the operational reliability of structures as a whole. It was shown that the proposed rational reinforcement of wooden beams increased their bearing capacity by 175% and reduced bearing deformability by 85%. The results obtained indicated high efficiency of the application of the developed method of reinforcement in beams of roofs and floors of buildings.