3.

4 Physical Properties of Gigantochloa levis

Moisture content values were determined using the difference between the green
sample and the oven drying method described by ASTM D 4442 standard. Specific gravity
(SG) values were determined by the volumetric measurement method described by ASTM
standard D-2395. The shrinkage was determined using ASTM D-143 (ASTM, 1990; 1997)).

3.4.1 Moisture Content

The weight and volume of bamboo samples were determined in green condition
according to the American Standard Testing Materials D-2395-02 (ASTM, 2003b). All
samples were conditioned at 65% of relative humidity and 22 °C of temperature (air-dry
condition) and the weight/volume were measured for a second time. Oven-dried weight and
volume were measured a third time once the samples were oven-dried (105 °C for 24 hrs).

3.4.2 Specific Gravity

The Specific Gravity was calculated as the oven dry weight divided by volume in
green condition, and air-dry weight divided by volume in green condition. The volume
shrinkage was determined as the difference between green and dry volume, and divided
by green volume.

3.4.3 Shrinkage

Shrinkage is a characteristic property of bamboo which describes tendency of bamboo

towards shrinkage under different conditions. Unlike wood, bamboo has a tendency to shrink
from the very beginning of drying. The elimination of moisture in the cell wall that is
hygroscopic or bound water leads to shrinkage as a result of the contraction of microfibrillar net
in proportion to the amount of liquid evaporated [Yu et al.]

3.4.4 Results

The result on initial moisture content of bamboo species at different location and position
in bamboo culms is shown in Table 1. The Moisture Content at internode was 94.45% and
for the node was 78.61%. It shows that there was significant difference between location at
internode and node. The Moisture Content was higher at the internode compare to the node.
The Moisture Content at the outer layer was 49.87%, middle layer 83.82% and for the inner layer
was 125.90%. Moisture Content was higher at the inner layer and reduced to a position outer
layer of the bamboo culm. Bamboo species show different moisture values which might be due
to difference in some inherit factors such as age, anatomical features and chemical composition
[Liese, 1985]. The Moisture Content is lower at the outer position and increase toward inner
position. This is because; the area that contents high fiber strand has low capacity for water
storage.

The result on Specific Gravity at difference location and position in the bamboo
culms are shows in Table 1. The Specific Gravity obtained for the Gigantochloa levis was 0.75.
The Specific Gravity at the internode is 0.74 and node is 0.77. There was significantly different
between location at node and internode. The differences of Specific Gravity at both the nodes
and internodes were due to the fiber wall thickness. In the nodes, fibers have thicker cell walls
and the high proportion of fibers in every vascular bundle and the higher amount of vascular
bundles, are probably responsible for the higher Specific Gravity of this part of the culms. The
Specific Gravity for outer layer was 0.95, middle layer 0.73 and the inner layer was 0.58. This
was due to the higher vascular bundles concentration in outer layer compared to inner
layer which contains lower vascular bundles concentration and higher amount of
parenchyma.

Tangential shrinkage is the analysis of variance significant difference group of

tangential shrinkage between species Gigantochloa levis (7.52%). The mean average for
internode tangential shrinkage was 9.17% and for the node was 10.66%. It shows, there
was significant difference between location at node and internode. The tangential shrinkage
was higher at node compare to the internode. The mean average for tangential shrinkage for
outer layer was 6.52%, middle layer was 9.72% and the inner layer was 13.50%. It shows, there
was significant different between position. The inner layer has the higher tangential
shrinkage and it reduce toward the outer layers. The conclusion from this study, the tangential
shrinkage for bamboo species Gigantochloa was about 6-13%.
3.5 Mechanical Properties of Gigantochloa levis

Bamboo is known for its orthotropic character meaning, it has specific mechanical
properties in x, y, z directions namely longitudinal, radial, and tangential. A vast amount of
knowledge on mechanical properties of bamboo helps in safe design as bamboo responses in the
same manner as other building materials do. However, being a natural composite or biological
material like wood, it is exposed to greater flexibility and complexity, due to various growing
conditions as availability of moisture and soil conditions. Preparation of bamboo samples prior to
mechanical testing is presented.

Preparation of bamboo samples

for mechanical testing including tensile test, compression test and flexural test
 3.5.1 Tensile Strength

Analysis of Tensile Strength property results shows that the tensile strength for
bamboo species at difference condition (green and air-dry), location (node and internode) and
position (outer, middle and inner layer). Based on statistical analysis, there was an observed
species at a 95% confidence level. Gigantochloa levis (117.31 MPa). The result for green
condition showed that Gigantochloa levis tensile strength was from 37.12 – 149.66 MPa, For
the air dry condition, the tensile strength was increase; the result showed that Gigantochloa levis
was 76.30 - 208.06 MPa. It can be seen that air dry samples showed better tensile strength
almost 35% compared to green samples (Air dry (35%) > Green). This may be due to the fact
that bamboo behaves similar to wood whereby the mechanical properties increase with decrease
in moisture content (Hamdan, 2004).

3.5.2 Tensile Modulus

Analysis of Tensile modulus properties, The results show that the tensile modulus for
specific bamboo species at difference condition (green and air- dry), location (node and
internode) and position (outer, middle and inner layer). Based on statistical analysis, there was
an observed species at a 95% confidence level. Gigantochloa levis (3793 MPa), There was a
significant difference between green and air dry sample. The result for green condition showed
that Gigantochloa levis tensile modulus was from 2043-4802 MPa. For the air dry condition,
the tensile modulus was increase; the result showed that Gigantochloa levis was 3184-5023
MPa. It can be seen that air dry samples showed better tensile modulus almost 35%
compared to green samples (Air dry (35%)> Green). This may be due to the fact that
bamboo behaves similar to wood whereby the mechanical properties increase with
decrease in moisture content (Hamdan, 2004)

3.6 In-Plane Loading Test

In-Plane Loading testing of three prototype specimens of Bamboo Reinforced Concrete

Wall Panel. The wall panels were tested to fail under uniformly distributed load applied at an
eccentricity of t/6.
 Strength Properties is the analysis of variance for selected mechanical properties showed
in Table 2 below. The test involved for this study was compression roller shear, tensile (strength
and modulus) and statics bending (modulus of rupture and modulus of elasticity).

Varnished and sand blasted

splints of Bambusa Bambos of 20mm width were used as wall panels. The properties of bamboo
splints used as reinforcement in this study include an average ultimate tensile strength of
120MPa, modulus of elasticity of 6.73x10 compressive strength of culm of 40MPa. Splints were
maintained at the same spacing in both the horizontal and vertical directions. Figure 1 shows the
arrangement of bamboo splints used as reinforcement in concrete wall panels.
 3.6.1.1 Test Set Up (One way In-plane Loading)

Wall panels were tested under pinned end conditions at both ends with uniformly
distributed load applied at an eccentricity of t/6 to reflect the probable eccentric load in practice.
All samples were tested in the vertical position in a loading frame of 100 tons capacity
positioned in the Testing Laboratory. The wall panels were lifted using the 10 tons capacity.
Figure 2 below illustrates the schematic diagram of the test set up. The top and bottom hinged
support conditions were simulated by positioning a 16mm diameter refined rod in between four
6mm diameter rollers welded to the bearing plates. A hardened I-beam was used below the
bearing plates to act as support. Figure 3 shows the details of top hinged edge. A plumb bob was
used to ensure that the wall panels are vertically upright. Loading was done gradually in stages
up to failure and the experimental ultimate loads were recorded. Figure 4 shows the Test set up
for the experiment.
 3.6.1.2 Test Set Up (Two way In-plane Loading)

To simulate two way in-plane action, the wall panels has a support along its four
edges. A uniformly distributed load was applied at an eccentricity of t/6 lying on the wall panel
to reflect the possible eccentric load in practice. The testing of the samples was carried out in the
loading frame of 981 kN (100 tons) capacity. The load was applied by using a hydraulic jack of
1000 kN (101.93 tons) capacity. The schematic loading diagram is shown below.
 3.7 Pull out Testing of Bamboo Reinforcement

The bamboos were embedded at two locations, the center and 1.5 in from the edge of a
concrete cylinder of 6 in (152 mm) diameter and 12 in (304 mm) height. The bond lengths were
divided into two kinds of 6 in (152 mm) and 12 in (304 mm) height. The bamboo reinforcements
were placed in a concrete cast for the pull-out tests at the two points of the 339 in3 cylinder, as
shown in Figure below.

The pull-out tests were performed using an Material Testing System machine in which
the load cell capacity is 60 kips (273 KN). The testing followed the guidelines of ACI 408 for
direct pull-out specimens. The specimens were designed as concrete cylinders with the rod
inserted in the concrete cylinder. As shown in Table below, A total of 16 cylindrical pull-out
specimens were tested within the study, The bonded length of the rods is either shorter 6 in (152
mm), short end, or longer 12 in (304 mm), long end.
 3.7.1 Pull-out Test Sample

A concrete compressive strength used during each set of casting cylinders is checked by
casting cubes for each batch separately and tested for their 7 days and 28 days strength. The
average compressive strength of cube at 7 days age was 19 MPa and that of 28 days was 28 MPa
for each batch.
 The schematic representation of pull-out procedure in plain, as well as the bamboo
samples is shown in Figures 10 and 11 below respectively. The samples are cast in the
cylindrical steel mold of diameter 100 mm and height 200 mm using the pullout casting
assembly. The test samples are separated into seven classifications. One is uncoated control
category; other six are based on different types of coatings used for surface treatments. Each
category consists of 10 samples, which are subdivided into plain bamboo and grooved bamboo
samples. Therefore, in each category, there are five plain test samples and five grooved test
samples. After casting is over, the cylindrical molds are kept for 24 hours in laboratory allowing
concrete to have an initial setting. Samples are demolded after 24 hours and kept inside the
curing tank for 28 days under normal temperature. Once the curing period is over the specimens
are further used for Pullout test.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/Anatomy_and_strength_properties_between_tropical_bamboo_Gigantochl
oa_levis
Bamboo-as-a-Sub-for-Steel-Reinf-conc-wall-panels.pdf
Strength-and-Behavior-of-Bamboo-Reinf-conc-wall-panels.pdf
https://rc.library.uta.edu/uta-ir/bitstream/handle/10106/165/umi-uta-1486.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y