Duration of load effect on curved glulam beams. Part 1. Short term reference tests

This research is part of an European project concerning the duration of load effect on the strength of different sized timber beams and is carried out in co-operation between the five EU countries. This report concerns the behaviour of curved glued laminated timber beams in short term loading, and forms a reference for later experiments to be carried out under long term loading. Tensile strength perpendicular to grain direction is obtained based on 24 tests which include three different sizes: length 5 m or 7 m, width 90 mm or 140 mm and height 600 mm. These results are also compared with earlier results carried out at VTT. Experimental results reveal that tensile strength perpendicular to grain observed in curved beams under short term loading has a strong dependence on the size of beam, both for width and length. The strength of tested curved beams is, however, higher than can be predicted based on tensile test results.