Use of natural resins in repairing damaged timber beams - An experimental investigation

A. I. Osofero*, M. Corradi, G. Benedetti, A. N. Ede

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articlepeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)
17 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Different techniques including the application of steel elements, composite materials and polymeric resins have been used in the past to repair damaged timber beams. However, there is a growing need to replace these materials with those with minimal environmental impact. In addition, stringent requirements of conservation authorities on the compatibility between repair and parent materials have also necessitated search for innovative repair materials for timber beams. Therefore, an increasing shift of focus towards the use of materials derived from natural sources in repairing and reinforcing timber structures is currently experienced. This paper presents the results of an exploratory study on the use of natural resins (rosin and bone glue) in repairing oak timber beams. 15 oak timber beams with cross section dimensions of 67 x 67 mm and 1100 mm in length were tested in four-point bending to failure. Undamaged, damaged (unrepaired) and damaged but repaired timber beams (with rosin and bone glue) were tested. The effectiveness of the repair material and technique was analysed based on the bending capacity and mid span deflection at failure. The initial results show negligible effectiveness of rosin in repairing timber beams. In fact, about 16% reduction (average) in load carrying capacity with a corresponding 5% decrease (average) in maximum displacement was recorded. Relatively higher level of effectiveness was recorded with the use of bone glue (about 10 % average increase in load carrying capacity). However, over 30% corresponding average increase in the maximum displacement was also recorded. Further work investigating different repair techniques and other natural resins is presently underway.

Original languageEnglish
Article number012040
Pages (from-to)1-10
Number of pages11
JournalIOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering
Volume640
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 13 Nov 2019
Externally publishedYes
Event1st International Conference on Sustainable Infrastructural Development, ICSID 2019 - Ota, Nigeria
Duration: 24 Jun 201928 Jun 2019

Keywords

  • bending capacity
  • damaged timber beams
  • environmental impact
  • natural resins
  • repair material

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