This paper presents an analysis of bending behaviour of glued laminated timber (glulam) beams reinforced with carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) plates, based on finite element numerical modelling. Nonlinear 3-dimen­sional model was developed and validated by experimental tests carried out on unreinforced beams and beams reinforced with two different reinforcement arrangements. Suitable constitutive relationships for each material were utilised in the model, as well as anisotropic plasticity theory for timber in compression. Adhesive bond between CFRP plate and timber was modelled as a perfect connection. Beam failure in the model was defined by maximum stress criterion. The predicted behaviour of beams has shown good agreement with the experimental results in relation to load-deflection relationship, ultimate load, elastic stiffness and strain profile distribution. The non-linear behaviour of reinforced beams before failure was also achieved in the numerical analysis, confirming the finite element model to be accurate past the linear-elastic range. Experimentally tested reinforced beams usually failed in tensile zone after compressive plasticiza­tion of top lamination, which was also simulated in the numerical model. The results proved that the load carrying ca­pacity, stiffness and ductility of glulam beams were successfully increased by addition of CFRP plate at tension side of the section.

Background: Social services aimed at the elderly are facing great challenges caused by progressive aging of the global population but also by the constant pressure to spend funds in a rational manner. Purpose: This paper focuses on analyzing the investments into human resources aimed at enhancing home care for the elderly since many countries have recorded progress in the area over the past years. The goal of this paper is to stress the significance of performing an economic analysis of the investment. Methods: This paper combines statistical analysis methods such as correlation and regression analysis, methods of economic analysis, and scenario method. Results: The economic analysis of investing in human resources for home care service in Serbia showed that the both scenarios of investing in either additional home care hours or more beneficiaries are cost-efficient. However, the optimal solution with the positive (and the highest) value of economic net present value criterion is to invest in human resources to boost the number of home care hours from 6 to 8 hours per week and increase the number of the beneficiaries to 33%. Conclusion: This paper shows how the statistical and economic analysis results can be used to evaluate different scenarios and enable quality decision-making based on exact data in order to improve health and quality of life of the elderly and spend funds in a rational manner.

Cross-laminated timber (CLT) is an innovative engineering wood product made by gluing layers of solid timber boards placed in an orthogonally alternating orientation to the neighbouring layers. CLT panels provide an efficient solution for floors in single and multi-storey buildings. Due to their light weight and often long-span, the design of these floors is generally governed by serviceability limit state criteria, that is, deflection or vibration limits. Vibrations induced by dynamic actions, such as people walking and their everyday activities, cannot result in structural failure but may cause discomfort to occupants if vibrations are not properly controlled. This paper gives an overview of some available methods for the vibration serviceability design of residential CLT floors. Differences between these methods are discussed through the consideration of criteria and their limit values. Although some criteria are common to certain methods, it may happen that the same criteria take into account different factors. In order to get a better description of the actual behaviour of floor structure, certain classifications of floors based on vibration serviceability performance were introduced in design methods.