Perpendicular to grain stress concentrations in glulam beams of irregular shape – finite element modelling in the context of standard design

Abstract

The present paper focuses on the analysis of tensile stresses perpendicular to the grain in both standard and non-standard simply supported beams made of glued laminated timber. The beams are analysed using two methodology approaches: a code design verification method and a finite element method (FEM) in terms of the linear theory of elasticity with plane stress assumption. The analysis is performed for various material parameters both isotropic and orthotropic, proving that both methodologies lead to consistent results in the case of standard glulam beams and therefore the FEM can be used in the case of non-standard structures, which are not included in Eurocode 5.