Densified delignified wood as bio-based fiber reinforcement for stiffness increase of timber structures

Carbon fiber reinforcements are applied in timber engineering thanks to their high strength, but fossil origin compromises sustainability. Furthermore, applications for which an increase of stiffness is beneficial, such as slab-type elements, still remain unexploited. Here, we reinforced beech wood with emerging bio-based type, densified delignified (DDW). We comparatively adhered DDW, flax, and carbon fibers using a polyurethane adhesive. The specimens’ was tested before after reinforcement bending tests, tensile tests the isolated composites were performed modeling purposes. Whereas no beneficial effect reported flax fibers, DDW able provide up 10.5% 16.7%, respectively, demonstrating potential DDW. On this basis, design case study conducted timber–concrete composite slab showed that can be material saving alternative.