Woods and composites cantilever beam: A comprehensive review of experimental and numerical creep methodologies

Wood and composites cantilever beam structure has gained attention among researchers in the current years due to its universal structural applications, such as bridges, aeroplane wings, buildings, and transmission towers. However, when the structure is exposed to a constant loading for a very long time, it induces a structural collapse due to creep deformation. Therefore, it is essential to understand and identify the initial creep that can lead to structural collapse. In this study, wood and composite materials exhibit the same structural material morphology which performs as anisotropic material as it majorly contributes to failure. In this study, a state-of-the-art review of creep analysis and engineering design is carried out, with particular emphasis on the creep methodology of a cantilever beam. The existing theories and creep design approaches are grouped into two analysis methods, namely experimental and numerical approaches. To be more specific, the experimental works involved two main methods, namely load-based (conventional) and temperature-based (accelerated) techniques. Selected creep test on cantilever beam structure and coupon scale of wood and composite were highlighted and proposed as the building blocks for a prospective structural creep methodology. These aids build confidence in the underlying methods while guiding future work and areas, especially for long-term service of full-scale structure. At the end, the challenges of creep behaviour description accuracy and improvement on the strength criteria in engineering design were presented.