Effect of Distribution of Knots on the Strength of the Glued Laminated Timber Beams

This article will examine the effect of the knots distribution on strength of glued laminated timber beams. A finite element model was made to simulate glued laminated timber beams with defects (knots) to simulate and predict behavior in areas containing knots while bending. This model was then compared with results from static bending test of glued laminated timber beam. The initial position of the rupture was then compared with FEM model [6], so the influence of knots on strength could be determined.