Wood Reinforcement
Wood Reinforcement
(OP)
Can you reinforce an existing wood member with too much deflection with a steel WT memeber?
If so... would the WT need to be mechanically connected to the wood member, or may it be glued?
If so... would the WT need to be mechanically connected to the wood member, or may it be glued?






RE: Wood Reinforcement
I would use a pair of steel plates (instead of just one) to make sure the new composite remains symmetric about the y-axis.
www.SlideRuleEra.net
RE: Wood Reinforcement
RE: Wood Reinforcement
Two things stand out in my memory:
- The timbers were knot-free and unsplit anywhere.
- The metal fittings used a large number of smallish bolts, arrayed in neat patterns like aircraft rivets.
I've had occasion since to stand under a number of more modern timber trusses. Three things stand out in my memory:
- The timbers were split, multiply, in some cases along their entire length. It appeared that only the large number of knots kept them from splitting like a rail fence.
- The bolts in the metal fittings were large and few in number.
- Every bolt was clearly associated with a split.
I try not to remain in buildings like that very long.
;--
... okay, I'm getting to a point. I've often wondered if it's possible to reinforce a straight timber by wrapping it tightly in sheet metal, with no fasteners going through the wood, and the metal held in place by a good lockseam or a few Band-It clamps. Okay, I know it's possible, I'm just wondering if anyone has actually done it.
I'm also wondering what damn fool came up with the idea of using really big bolts to fasten timber framing, as if it were structural steel.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Wood Reinforcement
Getting back to your specific question, I recommend the idea proposed by SlideRuleEra but I would proportion the steel plates to carry all the load, and neglect the contribution of the wood after retrofit. Make sure to check your plates against buckling on the compression edge. This isn't quite a LTB problem and it certainly isn't an euler column problem, but you don't want those plates too skinny. Also, you may need a bearing plate at each end. Check the material at the ends of the existing beam and whatever they rest upon.
Good Luck
RE: Wood Reinforcement
RE: Wood Reinforcement
RE: Wood Reinforcement
a remodel job at my house: built temp wall to support roof trusses while we built custom dbl 2x10 w/ plywood filler (between 2x10's) to enlarge opening between rooms from 8-ft to 10-ft
Good luck