Parametric Analysis of Composite Reinforced Wood Tubes Under Axial Compression

Abstract

Wood tubes combine economy, an efficient use of the material and optimal structural performance. They can be optionally reinforced with technical fibers and/or textiles laminated to the outer wood surface. The paper presents the outcomes of a parametric study on the performance of wood reinforced tubes submitted to axial compression. Simple analytical models were applied to estimate the load-carrying capacity of the tubes and their failure mechanisms. Analytical and numerical models were developed to simulate and analyze the load-carrying behavior of the tubes and their failure mechanisms as well as to determine the required lay-up of the reinforcement. Developed analytical models are based on the Classical Laminate Theory in combination of the Tsai-Wu failure criteria. The models were calibrated and verified through the experimental data to assess their reliability. Predicted and experimental failure mechanisms and loads agreed reasonably well. Herein, several parametrical analyses based on the analytical model are presented. However, in the future, more sophisticated analytical models have to be developed and further tests on tubes with varying r/t and l/r ratios are required to verify these models.