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This paper presents an experimental investigation of the development of adhesively bonded reinforcing techniques for dowel-type wood connections. One of the proposed techniques is based on the application of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) laminates (glued with epoxy adhesives) in the areas surrounding the holes of the wood members. The other technique is based on a novel reinforcing procedure involving the application of steel inserts that are glued to the holes of the timber members. For this latter technique, two distinct commercial epoxy adhesives were investigated. Both techniques were demonstrated for maritime pine wood. The experimental program comprised embedding tests, carried out according to the procedures of the EN 383 standard, with and without reinforcements, and included both parallel- and perpendicular-to-grain quasi-static loading. The embedding strength and foundation modulus were determined and compared between the non-reinforced and reinforced solutions. Furthermore, three series of single dowel T-connections were tested, one without reinforcement and two series reinforced with metallic inserts and CFRP laminates, respectively. The analysis of the experimental results showed the improved performance of the strengthening solutions. Additionally, it is important to emphasize that the reinforcement based on CFRP laminates was more effective in eliminating brittle failure modes in the wood members.

This paper investigates the mechanical behavior of solid wood beams reinforced with CFRP laminates. Experimental, numerical and analytical approaches are explored in order to assess the effect of the reinforcement length on the interfacial shear and peeling stresses which are critical for a failure prediction. The experimental program aimed the characterization of the base materials and the comparison of the performance of wood beams with distinct reinforcement lengths and beams without any reinforcement. Finite element models were proposed and calibrated using the experimental data. Finally, analytical models for the interfacial stresses were applied and their performance assessed and compared with the numerical results. The success of the analytical models depends on consideration of shear deformation of the adherents, in particular of the wood, which shows relative low shear modulus.

The application of the concept of glued-laminated wood (glulam) to improve the mechanical properties of the solid wood of the maritime pine ( Pinus pinaster ) is the subject of this work. Two reinforced glued-laminated wood beams are proposed and assessed. The first is based on a concept of laminated wood composite with fiber glass; the second is based on the application of pultruded lamellas glued to the most stressed tensile region of the glued-laminated beams. In order to demonstrate the potential of the proposed strengthening solutions, a comparison between their mechanical behaviors and the mechanical behaviors of the conventional glued-laminated and solid beams are performed. Static load–deflection curves, an equivalent Young’s modulus, the ultimate strain and modulus of rupture are determined using 3-point quasi-static bending tests. In general, it is demonstrated the beneficial effect of the proposed strengthening solutions both in terms of resistance and ductility.