Numerical analysis of flexural strengthening of timber beams reinforced with CFRP strips

Near-surface mounted (NSM) laminate strips of carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) is a promising technique for increasing the load-carrying capacity of timber beams in bending. The aim of this study is to develop a numerical procedure to simulate the flexural behaviour until failure of CFRP-strengthened timber beams. A local approach based on the coupling between anisotropic elasto-plasticity with non-linear isotropic hardening and an isotropic ductile damage is presented to model this behaviour, and implemented into Abaqus/Explicit using the Vumat user subroutine. The numerical model proposed predicted all aspects observed experimentally, and can be used to assess relevant information in the design of wooden structures strengthened by NSM method.