Analysis of Structural Timber Joints Made with Glass Fibre / Epoxy
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ANALYSIS OF STRUCTURAL TIMBER JOINTS MADE WITH GLASS FIBRE / EPOXY BRUNO MASSE A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the University's requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy JUNE 2003 COVENTRY UNIVERSITY ABSTRACT This study investigates the potential of using glass fibre and epoxy resin to join timber members of the same thickness in the same plane. A total of 64 full-scale wood/glass/epoxy adhesive joints made with unidirectional or bidirectional glass fibres were fabricated. Joints with the load applied parallel to the grain or applied at 90°, 60° and 30° to the grain were tested in static tension. Results of strength and stiffness were compared between joint configurations. The strength and stiffness of wood/glass/epoxy joints are mainly driven by the bond quality. The load capacity is governed by the shear strength of the timber, which appeared to be slightly affected by the grain orientation. Finite element analysis was used to model the joints and confirmed the non-uniform load transfer that occurs on adhesive joints such as wood/glass/epoxy joints. An internal bending effect occurring at the overlap was also identified in the FE analysis. The results derived from finite element models correlate well with experimental results obtained from the sample tests. Finally the fatigue resistance of wood/glass/epoxy joints was assessed. A total of 13 full-scale wood/glass/epoxy joints (with straight configuration) were tested in cyclic tension-tension at R = 0.1. The fatigue tests were carried out at a frequency of 0.33 Hz. Wood/glass/epoxy joints exhibit good fatigue resistance compared to other mechanical timber joints. The fatigue resistance was found dominated by the composite behaviour rather than the timber. Based on references, it was concluded that the joints fatigue resistance could be improved further by increasing the length of composite. TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION...............................................................................................1 1.1. Introduction...................................................................................................................... 1 1.2. Reader’s guide.................................................................................................................. 4 LITERATURE REVIEW...................................................................................5 2.1. Introduction...................................................................................................................... 5 2.2. Construction environment.............................................................................................. 7 2.2.1. Structural member applications........................................................................... 8 2.2.2. Structural joint applications ................................................................................ 13 2.2.3. Nail plate connections ......................................................................................... 18 2.3. Mechanical Environment................................................................................................ 21 2.4. Review on fatigue............................................................................................................. 24 2.5. Summary .......................................................................................................................... 28 MATERIALS, PROPERTIES AND CHARACTERISTICS..........................29 3.1. Introduction...................................................................................................................... 29 3.2. Material properties.......................................................................................................... 30 3.2.1. Timber.................................................................................................................. 30 3.2.1.1. General................................................................................................... 30 3.2.1.2. Selected timber ...................................................................................... 35 3.2.2. Glass fibres.......................................................................................................... 37 3.2.2.1. General................................................................................................... 37 3.2.2.2. Selected glass fibres............................................................................... 39 3.2.3. Epoxy resin.......................................................................................................... 42 3.2.3.1. General................................................................................................... 42 3.2.3.2. Selected epoxy resin .............................................................................. 45 3.2.4. Glass fibre/epoxy composite ................................................................................ 48 3.2.4.1. General................................................................................................... 48 3.2.4.2. Selected glass fibre/epoxy composite .................................................... 54 3.3. Summary .......................................................................................................................... 55 i EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAMME..................................................................56 4.1. Introduction...................................................................................................................... 56 4.2. Testing of glass fibre/epoxy composite........................................................................... 56 4.3. Wood/glass/epoxy joints.................................................................................................. 60 4.3.1. Joint geometry requirements ............................................................................... 60 4.3.2. Types of test ......................................................................................................... 65 4.3.2.1. The choice of tests ................................................................................. 65 4.3.2.2. Tension capacity test with load parallel to the grain.............................. 68 4.3.2.3. Tension capacity test with load perpendicular to the grain.................... 72 4.3.2.4. Tension capacity test with load at 60° angle to the grain ...................... 74 4.3.2.5. Tension capacity test with load at 30° angle to the grain ...................... 77 4.3.3. Number of samples tested .................................................................................... 81 4.3.4. Testing equipment (LVDT, Translog 500, tension rig, frame)............................. 83 4.3.5. Sample fabrication process.................................................................................. 91 4.3.5.1. Straight configuration ............................................................................ 93 4.3.5.2. Angle configuration............................................................................... 98 4.3.5.3. Samples with strain gauges.................................................................... 102 4.4. Timber properties testing................................................................................................ 104 4.4.1. Timber conditioning and preliminary grading .................................................... 105 4.4.2. Determination of timber mechanical properties.................................................. 106 4.4.2.1. Determination of modulus of elasticity in bending................................ 107 4.4.2.2. Determination of modulus of elasticity and strength in tension parallel to the grain ................................................................................ 110 4.4.2.3. Determination of modulus of elasticity and strength in tension perpendicular to the grain ...................................................................... 113 4.4.2.3.1. EN 1193: 1997 Standard test................................................... 113 4.4.2.3.2. Alternative test......................................................................... 115 4.4.2.4. Determination of shear strength parallel to the grain............................. 118 4.5. Summary .......................................................................................................................... 119 EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS...........................................................................120 5.1. Introduction...................................................................................................................... 120 5.2. Preliminary tests.............................................................................................................. 120 5.2.1. Test of wood/glass/epoxy samples with varying lengths of composite................. 120 5.2.2. Test of wood/glass/epoxy samples for experimental adjustments........................ 123 5.3. Timber grading tests........................................................................................................ 127 5.4. Tension parallel to the grain tests................................................................................... 129 ii 5.4.1. TPU00 and TPB00 Tests ..................................................................................... 129 5.4.2. TPU10 and TPB30 Tests ..................................................................................... 140 5.4.3. Discussion...........................................................................................................