Durability of bonded-in rod connections

Abstract

This paper presents the activities being carried out at LNEC in the scope of a project that aims to provide a better understanding of the performance and durability of bonded-in rod connections used for the in-situ repair and reinforcement of historic and contemporary timber structures. The specific objectives, described in the document, correspond to the: (a) determination of typical environmental service conditions expected for these rehabilitation systems; (b) assessment of the effect of preparation and service conditions on the performance and durability of the bulk adhesives; (c) investigation of possible ways of improving the durability of adhesively bonded structural timber joints; (d) development of an experimental methodology to assess the durability of bonded-in rod connections with relation to realistic working loads and the effect of realistic thermal and moisture effects; (e) provision of recommendations for test procedures and acceptance criteria for the selection of candidate repair system materials for specific applications.