Structural behavior of timber beams strengthened with FRP

An experimental investigation was carried on for evaluating flexural strengthening with FRP plates of timber beams. This paper concerns the first set of tests involving six new timber beams. The experimental investigation considered firstly the new timber beams for evaluating the efficiency of FRP technology because the defects are reduced in them. In fact the historical timber beams may be affected by insect action and ambient aggression. The CFRP was installed at beams intrados (tensile zone) into a small grove of a few millimeters. The groove was filled with epoxy resin before plate installation. The experimental investigation involved un-strengthened beams, un-damaged reinforced beams and damaged and strengthened beams. The experimental result was encouraging because of the flexural strength and ductility increment. The FRP is a suitable technology for timber structures rehabilitation for reduced increment in dead load compared with increment of strength and ductility in the structural elements.