A THEORETICAL RESEARCH ON THE BEHAVIOR OF A TIMBER BEAM REINFORCED WITH STEEL PLATES ATTACHED BY METAL CONNECTORS : Part 1 Elastic analysis of a reinforced timber beam

Abstract

Making a composite beam by attaching steel plates to a timber beam with metal connectors is a very effective method not only to strengthen the beam itself but also to prevent the rapid decrease of the beam strength due to material fracture. This paper deals with the elastic behavior of the timber beam reinforced with steel plates attached by metal connectors on the upper and lower side of the member. According to the theoretical research presented herein, the flexural rigidity of the reinforced timber beam varies along the length of the beam under various loading conditions and is represented by two parameters.