Investigation Of Bamboo As Reinforcement In Concrete

Abstract

This study investigated the feasibility of using bamboo as a reinforcement alternative to steel in concrete structural members. The specifications studied were the bamboo's tensile strength and its pullout characteristics in concrete. Two types of bamboo, Solid and Moso, were used for tensile testing. The tensile test specimens were prepared with different lengths, 6 in (152 mm) and 12 in (304 mm), and different physical characteristics (with and without nodes). Tensile test specimens were tested to failure and their load deformation characteristics are reported. The failures of the test specimens were identified as: (1) node failure; (2) splitting failure; and (3) failure of the end-taps. The test results show a high degree of variability between the samples. Test samples without nodes exhibited both a higher strength and stiffness compared to those with nodes. The pullout samples were prepared by embedding bamboo reinforcement into a concrete cylinder and subjecting it to monotonically increasing load. Two embedment lengths, 6 in (152 mm) and 12 in (304 mm), were used. For each bamboo type, reinforcement of the test samples was placed either at the center or with aneccentricity of 1.5 in (38 mm) in the concrete. The test results indicated that the bond strength for bamboo was lower than those for steel and FRP (Fiber Reinforcement Plastic) as reported in the literature. In general, the variation of test parameters did not yield a conclusive pattern of behavior for the pullout test.