REINFORCEMENT OF GLULAM: A REVIEW OF METHODS, MATERIALS, AND NUMERICAL MODELLING

Glued Laminated Timber (GLULAM) has been widely used in construction due to its high strength and versatility. However, it is susceptible to brittle failure under bending, which requires structural reinforcements to improve its performance. This work presents a literature review of reinforcement methods for GLULAM beams, focusing on the use of fiber-reinforced polymers (FRP). It discusses GLULAM characteristics, the main reinforcement materials, bar insertion methodologies, and numerical modeling using the Finite Element Method (FEM). The reviewed studies show that FRP reinforcement improves the strength and stiffness of beams, although issues such as adhesion and behavior under fire still require further investigation. This review highlights gaps in the literature and suggests approaches for optimizing reinforcements by combining experimental and numerical approaches.