A research study was undertaken to investigate the mechanical performance of glulam beams reinforced by CFRP or bamboo. Local reinforcement is proposed in order to improve the flexural strength of glulam beams. The glulam beam is strengthened in tension and along its sides with the carbon fiber-reinforced polymer CFRP or bamboo. A series of CFRP reinforced glulam beams and bamboo reinforced glulam beams were tested to determine their load-deformation characteristics. Experimental work for evaluating the reinforcing technique is reported here. According to experiment results, the CFRP and bamboo reinforcements led to a higher glulam beam performance. The results show a considerably improved stiffness of the reinforced over the non-reinforced specimens. By using CFRP and bamboo reinforcements several improvements in strength may be obtained.

This article presents an analysis of the mechanical properties of Glulam beams reinforced with punched metal plates. In this study, two groups of Glulam beams were fabricated and experimentally analyzed: 30 non reinforced Glulam beams and 30 Glulam beams reinforced with punched metal plates. All Glulam beams were made of Carbonero (Licania campestre) and an epoxy adhesive with high strength and durability. Four-point bending tests in the 60 full-scale beams were carried out. Then, a model based on linear elasticity theory was used to calculate the strength and verify the experimental results. It was determined that Glulam beams reinforced with punched metal plates show a better mechanical behavior than non reinforced Glulam beams. It was further established that the use of punched metal plates increases the homogeneity and the mechanical capacity of Glulam beams.Keywords: wood; Glulam; punched metal plates; bending test.Vigas de madera laminada Glulam reforzadas con pletinas metálicas dentadas ResumenEn este artículo se estudian las propiedades mecánicas de vigas de madera laminada Glulam reforzadas con pletinas metálicas dentadas. Se fabricaron y analizaron experimentalmente 2 grupos de vigas: 30 vigas de madera laminada no reforzadas y 30 vigas de madera laminada reforzadas con pletinas metálicas dentadas. Todas las vigas de madera laminada se fabricaron con planchas de Carbonero (Licania campestre) y un adhesivo epóxico de alta resistencia y durabilidad. Se ejecutaron ensayos de flexión de cuatro puntos en las 60 vigas a escala natural. Para determinar las tensiones, se usó un modelo teórico linealmente elástico y se verificaron los resultados experimentales. Se determinó que las vigas de madera laminada reforzadas presentan un mejor comportamiento mecánico que las vigas de madera laminada no reforzadas. Se estableció además que el uso de las pletinas metálicas dentadas aumenta la homogeneidad y la capacidad resistente de las vigas de madera laminada.Palabras clave: madera; Glulam; pletinas metálicas dentadas; ensayo de flexión.