Journal of Engineering Science and Technology Review
Summary
The bridge deck slab and the rectangular beam of the glued-wood beam bridge are connected by bolts and studs; thus, the joint surface is prone to slippage, and the beams and plates experience difficulty in bearing loadings together. This difficulty results in problems, such as stress concentration and screw corrosion and loosening, and weakens structural bearing capacity, stiffness, and integrity. In this study, an experimental model of glued timber T-section beams formed by gluing between bridge decks and rectangular beams and a calculation method for T-beam shear stress were proposed to improve the bearing capacity, stiffness, and integrity of the structure for ensuring that the bridge deck and the rectangular beam jointly bear stress. Three sets of beams, namely orthogonal T-beams, parallel T-beams, and rectangular beams were made using Larix gmelinii larch boards and structural glue to perform static bending bearing capacity test for examining the strain, deflection, and ultimate bearing capacity of the members and observe the destruction pattern. During the test, the bending shear strength was calculated following the principle of equivalent stiffness and the shear strength formula proposed by Rammer. Furthermore, a finite element model of glulam beams based on elastoplastic theory was established using structural analysis software. The displacement, strain, and failure mechanism of the members under the test loads were simulated and analysed using the model to verify the test results. Results demonstrate that, when the three types of beams are bent, they are sheared along the grain near the central axis of the section. The bonding surface between the wing plate and rib of the T-beam is undamaged, and the bonding is reliable with strong structural integrity. Compared with those of rectangular beams, the bearing capacity (limit load), bending stiffness, and ductility coefficient of the parallel T-beams are increased by 71%, 189%, and 23%, respectively. Compared with those of rectangular beams, the bearing capacity, bending stiffness, and ductility coefficient of the orthogonal T-beams are increased by 33%, 28%, and 25%, respectively. Compared with those of rectangular beams, the bearing capacity, bending stiffness, and ductility coefficient of the glulam T-beams are greatly improved. By considering the principle of equivalent stiffness and using the Rammer formula, the shear strength test values of orthogonal T-beams and rectangular beams of glulam deviate from the calculated values by 8.0% and -5.6%, respectively, which indicates good agreement. However, the shear strength test value of the parallel T-beams deviates from the calculated value by 19.2%, which indicates slightly lower calculation accuracy. The finite element analysis is consistent with the results of the experiment. This study provides certain references for the engineering design of glulam T-beams.