Innovative Approach for Enhancing GLULAM Performance with Reinforcing Steel Bars: A BESO-based Study

Glued-Laminated Timber (GLULAM) is a widely-used building material, popular for its strength, durability, and sustainability. It is created by bonding together layers of wood, making it a common choice for civil structures. In this study, Bi-directional Evolutionary Structural Optimization (BESO) is proposed to improve the performance of GLULAM structures. By positioning steel bars within the GLULAM structure, the objective is to increase the structure's stiffness and enhance its structural integrity. To achieve this, the study introduces the concept of a sub-design domain and utilizes optimization theory to determine the optimal placement of the steel bars. The finite element problem is solved using ANSYS software, while the topological optimization problem is solved using MATLAB software. The use of sub-design domains and optimization theory enables the optimal placement of the reinforcements to be determined. The results of this study demonstrate the potential of this approach for enhancing the structural integrity and stiffness of GLULAM structures under static loads.