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The Effect of Periodic Loading of Glued Laminated Beams on Their Static Bending Strength
Engineered wood products (EWP) such as glulam beams are gaining more and more popularity due to several advantages resulting from the wood itself, as well as the constant search for structural materials of natural origin. However, building materials face some requirements regarding their strength. Thus, the study aimed to assess the static bending strength of structural beams produced with the use of pine wood, after the periodic loading of approximately 80 kN for a year. The manufactured beams differed in the type of facing layers, i.e., pine timber with a high modulus of elasticity and plywood. The produced beams, regardless of their structure, are characterized by a similar static bending strength. Moreover, it has been shown that the loading of beams in the range of about 45% of their immediate capacity does not significantly affect their static bending strength and linear modulus of elasticity.
Mechanical Characterization of Glued Laminated Beams Containing Selected Wood Species in the Tension Zone
The aim of this study was to determine the mechanical properties of laminated beams containing selected wood species in the tension zone using a four-point bending test. Three beam types were manufactured with respect to the timber used in the tension zone, i.e., beams containing oak or beech timber of I and II quality class and pine timber with no defects (as defects had been removed). The manufactured beams were assessed with respect to bending strength and the modulus of elasticity. The obtained results were compared with the performance of BSH (Industrial beams GL made in Germany—Brettschichtholz) industrial beams. We concluded that beams made from pine timber are an appropriate alternative to spruce beams. The static bending strength of the beams made with hardwood faces was 70% higher than that of beams made with pine wood. All types of beams manufactured in the laboratory met the requirements of at least the GL24c class.