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GFRP bar
element to strengthen timber connection systems
Mehmet Saribiyik* and Tahir Akgül
Faculty of Technology, Sakarya University, 54187 Sakarya,
Turkey.
*Corresponding author. E-mail:
mehmets@sakarya.edu.tr. Tel: +902642956426. Fax:
+902642956424
Accepted 3 June, 2010 |
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Timber is an excellent construction material with a
strength-to-weight ratio comparable with steel and concrete.
It is necessary to strengthen the timber, particularly in
the weak joint places, in order to obtain both durability
and originality. The aims of strengthening in the connecting
places are to decrease the stress concentration, keep on the
fibre continuity, and reduce disadvantages of connection
element including nail and bolts. Nowadays, Glass Fibre
Reinforced Plastics, (GFRP) produced via pultrusion process,
are used to strengthen the structural elements because of
its high strength, light weight, corrosion resistance and
easy application of the structures. The aim of this study is
to obtain the fibre continuity of connecting places of
timber using GFRP bar elements. Mechanical performances of
the connecting places of longitudinal notched lap joints
have been investigated. Specimens have been prepared from
black pine timber. Seven different groups of specimens, one
group massive timber, one group only adhesively bonded and
remaining strengthened with pultruded GFRP bar samples, have
been prepared to determine the performances of the
connections. The specimens have been tested subjected to
bending strength and the obtained results have been compared
to with each others. The outcomes demonstrate the fact that
the bending strength of the connection strengthened with
GFRP bar has about 300% higher than adhesively bonded
connection. Timber is an excellent construction material
with a strength-to-weight ratio compare to with steel and
concrete. However, its use to date in the construction
industry has been hampered by the weakness of the jointing
systems used. In order to decrease the stress concentration
and reduce disadvantages of connection element it is
necessary to strengthen timbers particularly in the weak
joint places.
Key words:
Timber structures, bending strength, longitudinal notched
lap joint, glass Fibre reinforced plastic.
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