Bending tests on GLT beams having well-known local material properties

In the present paper a summary of experimental investigations on GLT beams, having well-known local material properties, is presented. The main objective of the presented project, was the investigations of the influence of varying material properties on the load-bearing behaviour of GLT beams. From altogether 24 GLT beams the load-bearing capacity, the bending stiffness, the type of failure and the deformation behaviour of knot clusters and finger joint connections located in highly stressed areas of the GLT beams are investigated. The test result can be used to validate numerical models for the prediction of the load-bearing capacity of GLT beams. The principle of such a validation is illustrated for a numerical model developed by the authors.