DR.

AMBEDKAR INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

[An Autonomous Institution, Affiliated to VTU, Belgaum and Aided by Government
of Karnataka]
Near Jnana Bharathi Campus, Mallathalli, Bangalore- 560056

MAIN PROJECT
REPORT ON

“COMPARATIVE STUDY ON BAMBOO FIBRES AS

REINFORCEMENT IN CEMENT CONCRETE ”

BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING IN
CIVIL ENGINEERING

SUBMITTED BY A1 BATCH

AKSHAYKUMAR R M (1DA17CV005)
BASAVARAJ (1DA17CV012)
BHARATKUMAR M (1DA17CV014)
BHEEMAPPA AWARI (1DA17CV015)

UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF

K V MANJUNATH SPHOORTHY S M
Associate professor Assistant professor,
D Department of civil engineering, Department of civil engineering,
Dr. AIT Bengaluru. Dr. AIT Bengaluru.

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

2020-21
1
 AMBEDKAR INSTITUTE OF TECHNOGY
[An Autonomous Institution ,Affiliated to VTU, Belgaum and Aided by
Government of Karnataka]
Near Jnana Bharathi Campus, Mallathalli ,Bangalore-560056

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that the Main Project work title “COMPARATIVE STUDY
ON BAMBOO FIBRES AS REINFORCEMENT IN CEMENT CONCRETE
”" is carried out by AKSHAYKUMAR R (1DA17CV005), BASAVARAJ
(1DA17CV012), BHARATKUMAR M (1DA17CV014), BHEEMAPPA
AWARI (1DA17CV015) bonafide students of Dr.Ambedkar Institute of
Technology, Bangalore-56,under my guidance during the academic year 2020-
2021and is in partial fulfillment for the award of Degree in Bachelor of
Engineering in CIVIL of Dr. Ambedkar Institute of Technology,
Bangalore-56. It is certified that all corrections/suggestions indicated during
Internal Assessment have been incorporated in the report deposited in the
department. It is further certified that this work has not been submitted to any
university/organization for the award of any other degree or diploma or
certificate including a similar degree. The main project report has been
approved as it satisfies the academic requirements in respect of project work
prescribed for the Bachelor of Engineering Degree.

Signature of guide Signature of co- guide Signature of HOD Signature of principal

K V MANJUNATH SPHOORTHY S M Dr.S.VIJAYA Dr.C.NANJUNDASWAMI
Dept. of Civil Engineering Dept. of Civil Engineering Dept. of Civil Engineering principal of Dr.ait

2
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The satisfaction that accompanies to main project would be incomplete without

the mention of the people who made it possible, without whose constant
guidance and encouragement would have made our efforts go in vain.
“We consider ourselves privileged to express our gratitude and respect towards
all those who guided us through main project, "
“COMPARATIVE STUDY ON BAMBOO FIBRES AS REINFORCEMENT
IN CEMENT CONCRETE ”
"We would like to express our gratitude to SPHOORTHY S M Mam Dept. Of
Civil Engg, for providing us the congenial environment to work in. We would
like to express our gratitude to Dr. S. Vijaya, HOD, Dept. of Civil Engineering,
Dr. AIT, for giving us the support, encouragement and providing us the required
lab facilities that was necessary for the completion of this mini project. We also
express our gratitude and sincere thanks to all the teaching and non- teaching
staff of Civil Engineering Department. Finally, yet importantly, we would like to
express our heartfelt thanks to our beloved Parents for their blessings and our
friends for their help and wishes for the successful completion of this main
project report.

AKSHAYKUMAR R M (1DA17CV005)
BASAVARAJ (1DA17CV012)
BHARATKUMAR M (1DA17CV014)
BHEEMAPPA AWARI (1DA17CV015)

3
CONTENTS :-
ABSTRACT
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
• General
• Objectives of the study
• Scope of the study
• Methodology
• Tests and Test set up
• Advantage & Disadvantages
• Limitation

CHAPTER 2
LITERATURE REVIEW

4
 ABSTRACT

From the early times Bamboo is used as a construction material. The Bamboo is used in
both technical as well as non technical ways. Our ancestors used Bamboo in the construction of
the houses. The Bamboo was used as the struts, posts, roofs etc in the construction of the
houses. Now a day’s concrete are used as the basic materials for the construction works. The
concrete is good in compression but weak in the tensile strength. So steel is used as
reinforcement in the concrete to achieve the tensile strength. Problems encountered with the
commonly used construction material like steel are high in cost, corrosion, etc. Due to the
advantageous characteristics of Bamboo, in the last few years, studies have been made on the
use of Bamboo as structural material and reinforcement in concrete. The main obstacle for the
application of Bamboo as a reinforcement is the lack of sufficient information about its
interaction with concrete, strength and durability. This study presents the evaluation of the
feasibility of the use of Bamboo as reinforcement in concrete members. In this study the
Bamboo was used as a reinforcing material & developing it as building material.

The present paper deals with cost-wise comparison of steel reinforcement with bamboo
reinforcement. The utilization of bamboo reinforcement as replacement of steel reinforcement is
gaining immense importance today, mainly on account of the improvement in the economical
aspect combined with ecological benefits.

To study the effect of replacement of steel reinforcement by bamboo reinforcement,

designs have been conducted on beam of 1000 mm length and 250 x 250 sq-mm. In this paper
the designs are done on the basis of shearing and bending. Based on this study of cost vs
strength provided results have been discussed in the paper.

5
CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION
Bamboos are giant grasses belonging to the family of the Bambusoideae. It is estimated that 60–
90 generae of Bamboo exist, encompass approximately 1100–1500 species and there are also
about 600 different botanical species of Bamboo in the world. Bamboo mainly grows in tropical
and sub-tropical regions of Asia, Latin America and Africa. Bamboo is versatile resource
characterized by high strength to weight ratio and ease in working with simple tools.

Bamboo is the fastest growing, renewable natural resource known to us. It is a small wonder,
therefore, that this material was used for building extensively by our ancestors. It has a long and
well established tradition as a building material throughout the tropical and sub-tropical regions.
It is used in many forms of construction, particularly, for housing in rural areas. But, enough
attention had not been paid towards research and development in Bamboo as had been in the case
with other materials of construction including timber .

Due to the advantageous characteristics of Bamboo, in the last few years, studies have been
made on Bamboo as structural material and reinforcement in concrete. Fikremariam Mengistu
Assaminew has conducted the tension test and compression test on the Bamboo specimen. He
concluded that the compressive strength of the Bamboo is less than the tensile strength of the
Bamboo.

➢ Bamboo As Construction Material

Through this project it has been going to found that some species of bamboo have ultimate tensile
strength same as that of mild steel at yield point. Experimentally it has been going to found that
the ultimate tensile strength of some species of bamboo is comparable to that of mild steel and it
varies from 140N/mm2- 280N/mm2. Bamboo is a versatile material because of its high strength-
to-weight ratio, easy workability and availability. Bamboo needs to be chemically treated due to
their low natural durability. It can be used as Bamboo Trusses, Bamboo Roofs Skeleton, Bamboo
walling/ceiling, Bamboo Doors and Windows, Bamboo Flooring, Reed Boards, Scaffolding. II.I.
Strength Properties of Bamboo It has also been found that bamboo acts very well in buckling but
due to low stresses than compared to steel and due to it not being straight it may not be very good.
Further, it has been established that in seismic zones the failure of bamboo is very less as the
maximum absorption of the energy is at the joints. Cellulose is the main component present in
bamboo which is the main source of mechanical properties of bamboo.

Some specific properties of Bamboo are as given below:

•Specific gravity - 0.575 to 0.655
• Average weight - 0.625kg/m
• Modulus of rupture - 610 to 1600kg/cm2
• Modulus of Elasticity - 1.5 to 2.0 x105kg/cm2
• Ultimate compressive stress- 794 to 864kg/cm2
• Safe working stress in compression - 105kg/cm2
• Safe working stress in tension - 160 to 350 kg/cm2
• Safe working stress in shear- 115 to 180 kg/cm2
• Bond stress - 5.6kg/cm

6
 Selection And Preparation Of Bamboo

➢ Selection
The following factors should be considered in the selection of bamboo culms (whole
plants) for use as reinforcement in concrete structures:
• Use only bamboo showing a pronounced brown colour. This will insure that the plant is at
least three years old.
• Select the longest large diameter culms available.
• Do not use whole culms of green, unseasoned bamboo.
• Avoid bamboo cut in spring or early summer. These culms are generally weaker due to
increased fibre moisture content.

➢ Preparation

• Sizing- Splints are generally more desirable than whole culms as reinforcement. Larger
culms should be split into splints approximately 3/4 inch wide. Whole culms less than 3/4
inch in diameter can be used without splitting.
Splitting the bamboo can he done by separating the base with a sharp knife and then pulling a
dulled blade through the stem. The dull blade will force the stem to split open; this is more
desirable than cutting the bamboo since splitting will result in continuous fibres and a
nearly straight section

• Seasoning- When possible, the bamboo should be cut and allowed to dry and season for
three to four weeks before using. The culms must be supported at regular spacing‟s to
reduce warping.

• Waterproof Coatings- When seasoned bamboo, either split or whole is used as

reinforcement; it should receive a waterproof coating to reduce swelling when in contact
with concrete. Without some type of coating, bamboo will swell before the concrete has
developed sufficient strength to prevent cracking and the member may be damaged,
especially if more than 4 percent bamboo is used.

WORKING OF BAMBOO

Bamboo can be worked with the simplest tools which must be especially sharp because of the
highly silicified outer zone. Tool wear is considerably high.

Splitting: very easy as long as you work along the cane axis. The cane is split in halves and
quarters and the driven apart by a wedge. It can also be split with a knife frame into four or eight
segments cutting with a machete-type or knife used for cutting

Shaping: Bamboo which grows in a box gets a square shape. So it can be better used for connections.

Bending: Freshly cut, bamboo can be bent and will keep this shape after drying. When heated above 150°
C, bamboo keeps its shape after it goes cold.

7
Objectives of the study:

The main objective of the proposed project work is to study the characteristics properties of
bamboo as reinforced in cement concrete

• Developing Bamboo as building material

• Durability of Bamboo in reinforcement cement concrete
• Cheapest material in replacement of steel as reinforcement .
• It is three times cheaper than steel

• Scope of the study:

This study has been supported by different types of literatures and laboratory experiments
on characteristics properties of RCC beam . However , This research is limited to testing the
reinforcement cement concrete beam by considered bamboo fibers as reinforcement
material.

The results are also specific to the type of reinforcement material used and test procedures
that have been adopted in the experimental work.
To show the advantage of bamboo reinforcement in place of steel, building components
are designed using steel and bamboo as a reinforcement. Further estimation of
reinforcement is done.

• In this project we have opted advanced bamboo reinforcement technique instead of

traditional steel reinforcement.

• This is a good idea for low cost economical structure.

• Bamboo reinforcement technique is used for both main and distribution reinforcement as
it was same earlier done for steel reinforcement.

• It is three times cheaper then steel reinforcement technique.

• Design principal and calculation done for bamboo reinforcement are taken from US
NAVAL CORPS guidelines and references.

• It is clear from results that this bamboo reinforcement technique is absolutely cheaper
then steel reinforcement technique especially for single story structure.

• In future it has a great wide scope for designing multi-story structure using bamboo
reinforcement.
8
 Methodology:
❑ Selection of raw materials ( cement, fine aggregates, coarse aggregates, water and
bamboo ) and Concrete mix design as per IS: 10262-2009.
❑ Preparing of Bamboo and Steel reinforcement .
❑ Casting of the specimen.
a ) Steel reinforced concrete beam.
b ) Bamboo reinforced concrete beam.
❑ Conduction of tests :Compressive strength test, Splitting tensile strength test , Tensile
strength test on bamboo stick ,Flexural test of beam.
❑ Comparison and results and discussion.

Tests to be Conduct :
In order to study the performance evaluation of Bamboo as reinforcement in Reinforced Cement
Concrete Specimen following tests are executed.
1. Tensile test on Bamboo strips.
2. Compression test .
3. Flexural strength test of Bamboo Reinforced Concrete Beams.
4.Splitting tensile strength test .

1. Tensile Test on Bamboo Strips

As the bamboo is used as to take tensile• load in the flexural element the tensile test was
conducted on the bamboo. The Bamboo strip was of the length 520• mm and the thickness of
the Bamboo was average 10 mm. Specimens of such specifications were prepared. The ends of
the specimen were roughed at both the ends to have a better grip in Universal Testing Machine.
The sample strip of the Bamboo is as shown in Fig.1.

Fig.1: Bamboo Specimen.

• Test Setup
Tensile test was conducted on Universal Testing Machine model TUN 600. To have a
grip of the Bamboo in the machine the cast iron grips were used. The position of the
Bamboo strip in UTM is as shown in Fig.2.

Fig. 2: Position of Bamboo strip in UTM

9
2.Compression Test On Cement Concrete Cubes
The compression test was performed on the cement concrete cubes to check the
compressive strength of the concrete & hence to justify the proportion of ingredients to
have specific strength of concrete. The resulting concrete was poured in moulds of size
150*150*150 mm. After casting concrete samples were kept in wet place and demoulded
at 24 hours age they were submerged in open water tank for curing up to 28 days as
required for test.

• Test Setup
A specimen was centred on the lower block in relation to the upper plate. The maximum
load was recorded after the concrete cubes failed to take further load.

3.Flexural Strength Test of Bamboo Reinforced Concrete Beams

In order to check flexural strength of Bamboo Reinforced cement concrete, beam specimens
are casted with dimension 130*130*750 mm. The Bamboo strips of the length 730 mm were
used as reinforcement. To be acquainted with the behaviour of Bamboo in concrete, different
Bamboo reinforced concrete beam specimens were prepared. The different types of flexural
beam specimen were:

• Plain Cement concrete beam without bamboo strips.

• Singly Reinforced Cement Concrete Beam having two Bamboo strips without any
treatment at the bottom with 20mm clear covers. Beam specimens have no stirrups.

• Doubly Reinforced Cement Concrete Beam having two Bamboo strips at the top and two
strips at the bottom of the beam with 20mm clear covers. Bamboo specimen used without any
treatment. Beam specimens have no stirrups.

Fig.3: Plain Cement Concrete Beam

10
Fig.4: Singly Reinforced Concrete beam
 Fig.5: Doubly Reinforced Concrete beam

• Test Setup

Flexural tests were conducted on Universal Testing Machine with model TUN 600. The
test was conducted with two point loading. Test setup to perform flexural test on Bamboo
reinforced Concrete Beam is as shown in Fig.6.

Fig.6: Two Point Loading System

Fig.7Test Setup to check flexural strength of Beam

11
 4.Splitting Tensile Strength Test

• Splitting tensile strength test of cylindrical concrete specimen of 150 mm diameter and
300 mm height was done according to astm c 496 [7].
• A cylinder was placed along its long side and tested at 28 days using universal testing
machine at a constant loading rate. three bearing rods were used to distribute the load
applied along the length of the cylinder. the maximum load sustained by the specimen
was divided by appropriate geometrical factors to obtain the splitting tensile strength.
the maximum strength of each specimen was recorded and the average of three samples
was considered the splitting tensile strength at the specific day.

Fig 8.Splitting tensile strength test

12
13
Advantages :
• TENSILE STRENGTH : Bamboo has higher tensile strength steel because its fiber run axially.
• FIRE RESISTANCE : Capacity of bamboo to resist fire is very high and it can withstand
temperature upto 4000 C. This is due to the presence of high value of silicate acid and water.
• ELASTICITY : Bamboo is widenly preferred in earthquake prone regions due to its elastic
features.
• WEIGHT OF BAMBOO : Bamboo due to their low weight are easily displaced or installed
making it very easier for transportation and construction.
• Unlike other building materials like cement and asbestos, bamboo poses no danger to
health.
• They are cost effective and easy to use.(they are 3times cheaper than steel)
• It can also be used to construct structural elements such as columns, beams, walls, roofs &
staircase
The other advantages of bamboo are mentioned below:
• Light, strong and versatile
• Environment friendly
• Accessible to the poor
• Self renewing resource
• Fast growing
• Highly productive

Disadvantages of Bamboo

The major disadvantages of bamboo are as follows:

Requires preservation, The major disadvantages of bamboo are as follows:
• Requires preservation
• Shaped by nature
• Durability–bamboo is subjected to attack by fungi, insects; for this reason, untreated bamboo
structures are viewed as temporary with an expected life of not more than 5 years.
• Jointing–although many jointing techniques exist, their structural efficiency is low.
• Lack of design guidance and codes.
• Prone to catch fire very fast by the friction among the culms during wind, and is seen to
cause forest fires

Limitations :
• If bamboo is left untreated it can swell and rot

• It can shrink which can further lead to segregation of concrete

• Thus, Bamboos can be a good alternative to steel but they need to be composed with some
other materialdue to these drawbacks

14
Conclusion
Since time immemorial, bamboo has played an important role in the development of mankind. It
is used for a wide range of day-to-day purposes, both as a woody material and as food. It has
been the backbone of much of the world’s rural life and will remain so as the population
increases. The properties as top grade building material and increased availability of bamboo in
our country makes it possible to use, bamboo in the field of construction extensively. Its high
valued utilization not only promotes the economic development, but also saves forest resources
to protect our ecological environment as a wood substitute. As an economic building material,
bamboo’s rate of productivity and cycle of annual harvest outstrips any other naturally growing
resource, if today you plant three or four structural bamboo plants, then in four or five years
later you will have mature clumps, and in eight years you will have enough mature material to
build a comfortable, low cost house.

CHAPTER 2
LITERATURE REVIEW
Many Research are attempted till date on bamboo as construction material. Some of
engineer’s report and their results are taken in account to this project to be conduct . The
followings are the studied report of mentioned author.

1. Anurag Nayak, Arehant S Bajaj, Abhishek Jain, Apoorv Khandelwal, Hirdesh Tiwari -
“Replacement of Steel by Bamboo Reinforcement”.
• Deflects more due to low density;but it attains flexural strength equivalent to
steel reinforcement.
• It also helps in cost effectiveness and reduces environmental effects.
2. Ayesha Syeda, Barvaliya Shrujal Jayesh Kumar - “A Case Study on Bamboo as Green
Building material”.
• It is renewable resource and eco-friendly.
• Absorbs CO2 and release Oxygen.
3. Jigar K. Sevalia, Nirav B. Siddhpura, Chetan S. Agrawal, Deep B. Shah, Jai V. Kapadia -
“Study on Bamboo as Reinforcement in Cement Concrete”.
• It has very strong fibers since the tensile strength of bamboo is more than that
of steel.

4. P. Sharma , K. Dhanwantri and S. Mehta - “Bamboo as a Building Material”.

• It is highly productive and cheap so it act as a low cost building material.
5. Humberto C. Lima. Jr, Fabio L. Willrich, Normando P. Barbosa, Maxer A. Rosa, Bruna S.
Cunha - “Durability Analysis of Bamboo as Concrete Reinforcement”.
• The bamboo tensile strength is comparable with the best woods used in
constructions and even with steel.
6. Leena Khare - “Performance Evaluation of Bamboo Reinforced Concrete Beams”.
• Increases load carrying capacity of beam.

15
16