Experimental study on the lateral resistance of reinforced glued-laminated timber post and beam structures

Abstract

Nine cyclic tests were conducted on full-scale one-story, one-bay timber post and beam construction specimens to study the lateral resistance of reinforced glued-laminated timber post and beam structures. Two reinforcement methods, wrapping fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) and implanting self-tapping screws, and two structural systems, simple frame and knee-braced frame, were considered in the experimental tests. Based on the observed experimental phenomena and the test results, the feasibility of the reinforcement was discussed; the contributions of different methods were evaluated; and the seismic performance of the specimens were studied. The results indicated that both reinforcement methods could limit the crack development and improve the strength, stiffness and energy dissipation capacity. The results also showed that the lateral resistance could be significantly improved by retrofitting a failed simple frame with joint reinforcement and a knee-brace, demonstrating that this approach can be applied in engineering practice.