Testing and numerical simulation of FRP prestressed timber structures

Debonding is a major stumbling block to the strengthening of timber beams with prestressed carbon fibres. In cooperation with different institutes and industrial partners, the authors have investigated several methods to prestress and attach carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) to timber beams, the aim being a prevention of the debonding of the strips. In order to gain further knowledge on the stress distribution in the carbon fibre lamella, strain measurements were undertaken during the four point bending tests. The gained data helped to improve the FEM model, which finally yielded a better understanding of the stress distribution in the anchorage zones of the lamella.