Investigation on the mechanical behavior of glulam beam string

The glulam beam string, which is a new type of self-balancing system in the field of large-span glulam structures, was investigated systematically in this study.A series of five-point bending tests were conducted while accounting for variations in string diameter. The failure mode of the specimen varied from lower steel cable breakage to upper glulam beam failure with the diameter increasing. Parametric analysis was performed utilizing numerical models, which accounted for the difference in string diameter, pre-camber, and number of strut members, and a series of design proposals were provided considering both the bearing capacity and economic effect. Furthermore, theoretical formulas based on the Rayleigh-Ritz method were found to be effective in predicting the failure mode and calculating the bearing capacity with accuracy.