The use of wood in structures is linked to conditions that allow its use for many years without losing its strength and stiffness properties. However, since it is a natural material, wood engineered structures may be subject to attack by biological agents, and weathering action, among other factors, requiring solutions for repair or reinforcement. The aim of this research study is to investigate the influence of using epoxy resin as a healing agent for damaged Pinus elliottii wooden beams in the calculation of bending stiffness for the product. Therefore, a comprehensive experiment was performed, considering the position of caused defects (central and sides), the use or not of resin in the damaged regions, and the position of these damages (superior - compression or inferior - tensile) as factors. The results of the statistical analysis revealed that the use of epoxy resin in the beam damaged regions provided a bending stiffness significantly higher when compared to damaged beams without the epoxy resin. Despite being significant the use of the resin in the damaged regions, the bending inertia of the repaired beams was smaller compared to the beams without damage (reference), pointing out the need for further studies with other resins and materials in order to obtain full recovery of the stiffness in the damaged wood.
Wood; Beams; Epoxy resin; Structural reinforcement
