ABSTRACT

This study investigated the feasibility of using bamboo as a reinforcement alternative to steel in concrete structural members. The specifications studied were the bamboos tensile strength and its pullout characteristics in concrete. The tensile test specimens were prepared with different lengths in between 150mm to 300mm 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 in between 150mm to 300mm were used. For each bamboo type, reinforcement of the test samples was placed at the center. The test results indicated that the bond strength for bamboo was lower than those for steel as reported in the literature. In general, the variation of test parameters did not yield a conclusive pattern of behavior for the pullout test.