DescriptionThis dissertation presents a strength model to predict the elastic strength and ultimate strength of bending wood beams. The model can also be applied to wood beams reinforced with high modulus carbon fibers on compression and tension sides. For a plain wood beams, its behavior is elasto-plastic in compression and linear elastic in tension. For strengthened beams, considering the composite contributes to steady decrease of tension strength after yielding, part of plastic region is incorporated in the model.
A specific strength model is described for balsa beams due to the distinct properties of balsa wood. The balsa wood model considered the influence of shear stress and deflection due to shear. In elastic range, the model is established on the fact that the elastic properties reach their elastic limit in directions other than the natural axes. The balsa beam model predicted failure based on ultimate shear strength.
Extensive laboratory program results were gathered and compared with analysis results from the strength model. The experimental results were also utilized to calibrate the model. The comparison verifies that the behavior of wood beams can be predicted from the proposed strength model with reasonable error.
Step by step design procedure for high modulus carbon fiber reinforced wood beams is presented to estimate the dimension of wood core needed and the amount of reinforcement needed for required loading situation.