Reinforcement of maritime pine cross-laminated timber panels by means of natural flax fibers

Valdes M.;Giaccu G. F.;Meloni D.;Concu G.

2020-01-01

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Abstract

The present paper shows the first results of an ongoing research aimed at studying the potentiality of the combination of laminated timber and natural fibers to obtain high-performance structural elements. The experimentation conducted has involved a set of Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) panels made of maritime pine grown in Sardinia (Italy) and externally reinforced with natural flax fibers fabrics. A bending test program has been carried out on two CLT layouts, three-layers and five-layers panels, for a total of 34 specimens. Three-layers panels have been tested with single and double strip of flax fibers aiming to evaluate any difference in the rupture mechanism, capacity and stiffness. The proposed technique allows a straightforward application on the intrados of the panel, aimed at increasing its capacity and stiffness. Results show that in case of three-layers panels a significant increment of load-carrying capacity and stiffness has been achieved, whilst for five-layers panels the effectiveness of the reinforcement is negligible. Variations in the failure mechanisms of reinforced panels have been discussed.