Reinforcement of Glued Laminated Timber Beams: A Review on Methods, Materials and Numerical Modeling

Glue Laminated Timber (GLULAM) has been widely used in construction due to its high strength and versatility. However, its failure under bending can be brittle, requiring structural reinforcements to improve its performance. This paper presents a literature review on reinforcement methods for GLULAM beams, focusing on the use of fiber-reinforced polymers (FRP). It discusses the characteristics of GLULAM, the main reinforcement materials, the methodologies for inserting the bars, and the numerical modeling applied, including the Finite Element Method (FEM). The studies show that FRP reinforcement improves the strength and stiffness of beams, although challenges such as adhesion and behavior under fire still require further investigation. The review highlights gaps in the literature and suggests directions for optimizing reinforcements by combining experimental and numerical approaches.