Experimental and computational investigation of FRP reinforced glulam columns including associated software development

Strengthening and retrofitting of new and existing Civil Engineering Structures have been ongoing for more than a decade now. Increased load, changes in usage and deterioration are some of the reasons for using FRP for strengthening and retrofitting of civil structures. In the past two decades, the use of Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) for strengthening structural members has shown to be an effective method, both with respect to the structural performance and economical aspects. Despite the extensive research that has been carried out in the field, most of the research has been undertaken on concrete structures. Limited research has been carried out on Glue-Laminated [GLULAM] Timber Structures strengthened with Fiber-Reinforced Polymer, and to the author's knowledge, no research on axially loaded Glue-Laminated Timber structures has been carried out.; Three main research objectives have been considered under this study. Firstly, a computational and practical investigation of axially loaded glue laminated [Glulam] timber columns strengthened with FRP for improved stability and capacity has been undertaken. Several parameters that influence the stability of such columns, such as the influence of slenderness ratio, boundary conditions, FRP thickness sequence, and the optimum length of reinforcement have been considered in the investigation. Secondly, the study also focuses on the cost of producing FRP Reinforced Glulam relative to the cost of producing non-reinforced beams with equal strength, thereby producing an innovative structural column that employs Canada's underutilized timber resources. Thirdly, software for analyzing a reinforced and a non-reinforced Glue-Laminated Structure will be developed.; The results of this thesis are of practical importance to the practicing engineers and architects in utilizing cost-effective Glulam timber components in structures where the use of glue-laminated columns would otherwise be formidable.