Contact-free measurement and numerical and analytical evaluation of the strain distribution in a wood-FRP lap-joint

<p>Wood specimens to each of which alaminate of carbon fibre reinforcement polymers(FRP) was glued (creating a lap joint in each case)were loaded to failure. A total of 15 specimens ofthree types differing in the glued length (anchoragelength) of the FRP laminate (50, 150 and 250 mmrespectively) were tested, their strength, stiffness andstrain distribution being evaluated. Synchronizeddigital cameras (charge-coupled devices) used intesting enabled strain fields on surfaces they weredirected at during the loading procedure to bemeasured. These results were also evaluated bothanalytically on the basis of generalized Volkersentheory and numerically by use of the finite elementmethod. The lap joints showed a high level ofstiffness as compared with mechanical joints. A highdegree of accuracy in the evaluation of stiffness wasachieved through the use of the contact-free evaluationsystem. The load-bearing capacity of joints ofthis type was found to be dependent upon theanchorage length in a non-linear fashion. The experimental,analytical and numerical results were shownto be in close agreement with respect to the strengthand the strain distribution obtained.</p>