Moment-resisting connections in glulam beams

This paper describes an experimental investigation into the use of steel bars bonded into glulam timber beams with epoxy resins in order to provide moment-resisting joints between glulam beams and steel supports. The objective of this research was to provide information about the bending and shear strength of such connections. Past research has investigated the use of steel rods epoxy bonded into glulam beams in order to study the tensile behaviour of such joints and to a limited extent has also studied the moment resistance of this type of joint. In the case of the tensile behaviour, past research at the University of Canterbury has investigated a number of parameters that affect joint strength. This project has investigated both the moment and associated shear resistance of the joints when subjected to monotonic or cyclic loadings. The results of the experiments show that the main factor limiting the bending strength of steel rod connections into glulam members is the longitudinal splitting caused by the shear forces acting on the steel rods at, say, a beam to column interface. The strength was enhanced by providing transverse steel rods to act as a mechanical anchorage. This technology requires further refinement before being recommended for widespread use, but the results to date show excellent potential.