This paper describes aspects within an experimental and theoretical programme aimed generally at improving the structural performance of laminated beams fabricated from Irish-grown Sitka spruce. Such timber is characterised by low density and small dimensions, is likely to distort when dried and tends to fail in tension due to the presence of knots. The well-established technique of laminating timber overcomes some of these disadvantages and the improvements are most marked with low quality donor material. It has been found that the addition of modest ratios of FRP composite reinforcement can suppress tension failure in beams. The study of failure modes, particularly in tension-reinforced beams, is the main focus of this paper. It establishes that the ultimate load capacity depends on the behavior of the timber in compression, resulting in much more consistent behavior as well as a considerable increase in flexural stiffness.
A series of short and long term service load tests were undertaken on the sixth floor of the full-scale, seven storey, reinforced concrete building at the Large Building Test Facility of the Building Research Establishment at Cardington. By using internally strain gauged reinforcing bars cast into an internal and external floor bay during the construction process it was possible to gain a detailed record of slab strains resulting from the application of several arrangements of test loads. Short term tests were conducted in December 1998 and long term monitoring then ensued until April 2001. This paper describes the test programmes and presents results to indicate slab behaviour for the various loading regimes.
This paper presents the results of an experimental study of the ultimate load capacity of composite metal decking/concrete floor slabs. Full-scale in situ testing of composite floor slabs was carried out in the Building Research Establishment's Large Building Test Facility (LBTF) at Cardington. A parallel laboratory test programme, which compared the behaviour of composite floor slabs strips, was also carried out at Queen's University Belfast (QUB). Particular attention was paid to the contribution of compressive membrane action to the load carrying capacity. The results of both test programmes were compared with predictions by yield line theory and a theoretical prediction method in which the amount of horizontal restraint could be assessed. The full-scale tests clearly demonstrated the significant contribution of compressive membrane effects to the load capacity of interior floor panels with a lesser contribution to edge/corner panels.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.