In this paper an efficient procedure for obtaining a cohesive law for Mode I timber fracture (crack opening), based on the Double Cantilever Beam (DCB) tests is given. DCB tests were performed on ten European spruce specimens in order to determine the energy release rate vs crack length (R curves). Two crucial parameters - crack length during the experiment and the crack tip opening displacement were obtained using 2D Digital Image Correlation (DIC) technique. In order to determine accurate fracture resistance (R curve), procedure which includes calculating cumulative released energy was employed. The cohesive law for Mode I fracture of wood was obtained by differentiation of the strain energy release rate as a function of the crack tip opening displacement. This cohesive law is further implemented in the successful numerical modelling of failure modes in large-scale end-notched glulam beams which were experimentally tested in four-point bending configuration.

This paper presents an experimental procedure for obtaining the fracture resistance (R curve) of solid wood specimens made of spruce. Double Cantilever Beam (DCB) tests were performed in order to determine energy release rate vs crack length in Mode I wood fracture (crack opening). Ten wood specimens were loaded using the Universal Testing Machine and force-displacement curves were recorded. The most important parameter - crack length was monitored as the crack propagates using Digital Image Correlation (DIC) method. In order to obtain accurate R curve results, procedure which includes calculating cumulative released energy was employed. The cohesive energy Gf was determined based on the R curves. These results can further be analysed in order to obtain cohesive law for Mode I fracture of wood.

This paper presents an analysis of bending behaviour of glued laminated timber (glulam) beams reinforced with carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) plates, based on finite element numerical modelling. Nonlinear 3-dimensional model was developed and validated by experimental tests carried out on unreinforced beams and beams reinforced with two different reinforcement arrangements. Suitable constitutive relationships for each material were utilised in the model, as well as anisotropic plasticity theory for timber in compression. Adhesive bond between CFRP plate and timber was modelled as a perfect connection. Beam failure in the model was defined by maximum stress criterion. The predicted behaviour of beams has shown good agreement with the experimental results in relation to load-deflection relationship, ultimate load, elastic stiffness and strain profile distribution. The non-linear behaviour of reinforced beams before failure was also achieved in the numerical analysis, confirming the finite element model to be accurate past the linear-elastic range. Experimentally tested reinforced beams usually failed in tensile zone after compressive plasticization of top lamination, which was also simulated in the numerical model. The results proved that the load carrying capacity, stiffness and ductility of glulam beams were successfully increased by addition of CFRP plate at tension side of the section.