Structural restoration of timber beams by resin bonded repair systems

Abstract

The deterioration of timber beam-ends due to rot or insect attack can lead to total collapse of a beam and part of a structure. Traditional methods of restoring the beam end may not be suitable in a number of situations, especially when the remaining part of the beam or the floor finishes cannot be removed. The replacement of the deteriorated beam end by epoxy mortar can provide an effective way of restoring the structural strength of such beams with minimal disruption to the surrounding fabric. Test data useful to determine the shear strength of the repaired beam end are required. The experimental program studies the strengthening effect of dowel bars on the shear strength of the epoxy-wood interface. The test data obtained by means of pullout tensile tests, and full-scale beam tests, may be used to predict the strength of a repaired beam end.