Finite Element Analysis of a Spruce Timber Beam Reinforced by FRP Fabrics

A simply supported wooden beam, vertically loaded at the
top edge, is examined in this paper by solid/shell finite
element analysis, with two possible configurations: the first
one, without any reinforcement, that does not provide,
given the assigned loads, allowable stress values in terms of
safety; the second one, with the application of FRP fabrics
at the intrados, which gives rise to a substantial reduction
both in stresses and displacements. In particular, it is
possible to observe a stress migration from the wooden
material to the fabric, which is able to produce more
satisfactory stress values at the bottom edge of the timber
beam, thanks to the exploitation of the resistance capacity
given by FRP material.