Steel-Reinforced Wood Beam Design

A method for calculating the deflection, stresses and fastener loads in a steel-reinforced wood beam is explained. The deflection values so obtained for beams made from commercially S-DRY and S-GRN western hemlock lumber compare favorably with values obtained by testing. Repeated cycles of load did not loosen the mechanical connections or impair the stiffness or strength of the beams. Seasoning from 17.5 percent at time of manufacture to 8.5 percent at time of test did not impair strength or stiffness of the mechanically connected beams. Beams displayed good recovery upon release of load. The use of steel in the ratio of one to three by weight of wood increased basic wood beam stiffness by 34 percent while performing a dual function of reinforcement and fastening. The design method could be applied to other types of mechanically fastened composites in which the connections occur at discrete intervals, as contrasted to the continuous bond provided by adhesives. The method requires the use of a computer. No computer program is presented.

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