Experimental validation of a CFRP laminated/fabric hybrid layout for retrofitting and repairing timber beams

Abstract

This paper proposes a new hybrid layout to retrofit and repair timber beams by means of carbon composite material. It is based on the combination of a carbon laminate strip attached on the tension side, and a carbon fabric discontinuously wrapping the timber element. This layout has been experimentally validated by means of a study involving large-scale timber beams with many years in service. Results demonstrate not only that the bending load capacity of the broken beams can be totally recovered, but that it may even be increased by 70% with respect to the non-broken ones.