COMPARATIVE STUDY OF STRENGTH AND

DURABILITY OF BAMBOO CANE FIBRE AS AN

ALTERNATIVE FOR STEEL IN REINFORCED
CONCRETE BEAM

By
EBO, Daniel Kehinde
(17/30GB050)

Supervisor:- Dr. A.O. Ibrahim

Submitted to

Department of Civil Engineering

University of Ilorin,

Ilorin, Nigeria.

May, 2023

GROUP 1A
 CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of study

Bamboo is a tall tropical plant with hard, hollow stems and it is a mounted material
found in abundance in tropical Africa with good physical and high mechanical
properties. Bamboo is unique both in tension and compression and has hit its mark
in various part of the world as a good structural material.

Bamboo has been used for construction in various parts of the world for centuries,
particularly in Asia and South America, due to its strength, flexibility, and
durability (Janssen, 2017). In recent years, bamboo has gained attention as a
concrete beams and compared the results to those of steel-reinforced concrete
beams. The study found that bamboo reinforcement performed similarly to steel
reinforcement in terms of load capacity and deformation. However, the durability
of bamboo-reinforced concrete was not investigated. Similarly, Mohammed et al.
(2018) conducted tests on bamboo-reinforced concrete columns and concluded that
bamboo could be a viable alternative to steel reinforcement in concrete structures.
However, the durability of bamboo reinforcement was not investigated in this
study either.

In conclusion, bamboo reinforcement in reinforced concrete structures has gained

attention as a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to traditional steel
reinforcement. However, there is limited research on the durability of bamboo as
reinforcement in concrete structures. Given the importance of durability in
determining the long-term performance of reinforced concrete structures, further
research is needed to investigate the effects of environmental factors such
as moisture and decay on the strength and durability of bamboo reinforcement.
This study aims to address this gap in the literature by conducting a comparative
study of the strength and durability of bamboo cane fiber as an alternative for steel
in reinforced concrete beams.
1.2 Problem statement

Bamboo is a fast growing, valuable and versatile plant. Excessive plantation can
cause agricultural waste which is not good for the environment. Agricultural waste
are becoming incessant and becoming a nuisance to the environment due to the
excessive plantation. The excessive plantation can contribute to soil erosion and
destabilize the soil, especially during heavy rainfall or storms. Excessive plantation
of bamboo can consume a significant amount of water due to their high water
requirements which have negative consequences on other plants and well as for
wildlife and human communities relying on water availability.
1.3 Aim and objectives of the Study

The aim of this study is to evaluate the strength and durability of bamboo cane
fiber as a substitute for steel reinforcement in reinforced concrete beams.

The objectives are;

i. to investigate the tensile strength and flexural strength of bamboo cane fiber
reinforced concrete (BCFRC) beams and compare them with steel reinforced
concrete (SRC) beams;
ii. to evaluate the durability of BCFRC beams by subjecting them to various
environmental conditions such as moisture, temperature and corrosion;
iii. to assess the cost effectiveness of using bamboo cane fiber as reinforcement
in concrete beams compared to steel; and
iv. to investigate the feasibility of using bamboo cane fiber as a sustainable; and
environmentally friendly alternative to steel reinforcement;
1.4 Justification of study

The study of the strength and durability of bamboo cane fiber as an alternative for
steel in reinforced concrete beams is justified for several reasons which are:

1. Sustainability:- Bamboo is a renewable and fast-growing material that can be

harvested in a relatively short period compared to the time it takes to grow trees
used in timber. It has a higher carbon sequestration rate than most other plants
and contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Using bamboo as a
reinforcement material can contribute to sustainable construction practices and
reduce the dependence on non-renewable resources like steel.
2. Cost-effectiveness:- Bamboo is generally expensive than steel, which can
significantly reduce the overall cost of construction projects. In many regions,
bamboo is readily available and easily accessible, making it a cost-effective
alternative for steel reinforcement.
3. High tensile strength:- Bamboo possesses remarkable tensile strength, often
comparable to mild steel. Its natural fibers have a high strength-to-weight ratio,
allowing them to withstand substantial loads and resist deformation. By
studying the strength of bamboo cane fibers, researchers can determine its
capacity to replace steel reinforcement effectively in concrete beams.
4. Light weight:- Bamboo is considerably lighter than steel, making it easier to
handle during construction. This characteristic cab simplify the construction
process, reduce transportation costs, and potentially speed up construction time.
5. Corrosion resistance:- One of the major challenges with steel reinforcement is
its susceptibility to corrosion, especially in aggressive environments. Bamboo,
on the other hand, has inherent resistance to corrosion, eliminating the need for
anti-corrosion measures and potentially increasing the durability of reinforced
concrete structures.
1.5 Scope of study

A thorough comparison of bamboo cane fiber’s strength and durability to steel in

reinforced concrete beams would certainly cover a number of important areas of
research.

1. Material characteristics: The study would involve characterizing the mechanical

properties of bamboo cane fiber, including tensile strength, compressive
strength, and flexural strength. This would help establish a baseline for
comparison with steel reinforcement.
2. Experimental setup: The study would design and conduct laboratory
experiments to evaluate the performance of bamboo-reinforced concrete beams
compared to steel-reinforced beams. The beams would be subjected to various
loading conditions to assess their structural behavior.
3. Strength comparison: The study would analyze the load-carrying capacity,
stiffness, and deflection characteristics of bamboo-reinforced beams and
compare them with steel-reinforced beams. This would determine the suitability
of bamboo as a replacement for steel reinforcement in terms of strength
requirements.
4. Durability assessment: Bamboo's durability in the concrete environment would
be evaluated by subjecting the beams to environmental factors such as moisture,
temperature variations, and chemical exposure. Tests could include assessing
bamboo's resistance to decay, insect attack, and other forms of degradation. The
durability of bamboo-reinforced beams would be compared with steel-
reinforced beams.
5. Data evaluation:- The study would need to analyze the data collected during
testing to compare the performance of bamboo-reinforced concrete beams with
steel reinforced concrete beams.
Overall, the study would aim to determine whether bamboo cane fiber is a viable
alternative to steel in reinforced concrete beams in terms of strength, durability and
cost-effectiveness.

CHAPTER TWO

2.0 Literature review

The use of bamboo as a construction material dates back to ancient times, and it
has been gaining popularity again in recent years due to its eco-friendliness,
renewability, and affordability. This literature review aims to compare the strength
and durability of bamboo cane fiber with steel in reinforced concrete beams.

In terms of strength comparison, Bamboo has a high strength-to-weight ratio, and

its tensile strength is comparable to that of steel. Pramanik et al.(2016), compared
the flexural strength of bamboo-reinforced concrete beams to steel-reinforced
concrete beams. The results showed that bamboo-reinforced concrete beams had a
slightly lower flexural strength than steel-reinforced concrete beams, but they still
met the design requirement.

In terms of durability comparison, Bamboo has a lower durability than steel, but
with proper treatment and maintenance, it can last a long time. Zhang et al. (2017),
evaluated the durability of bamboo-reinforced concrete beams and found that they
had a similar durability to steel-reinforced concrete beams. The study also
suggested that the use of bamboo in reinforced concrete beams could reduce the
carbon footprint of construction.

In terms of environmental comparison, Bamboo is a sustainable and eco-friendly

material, while steel production energy –intensive and has a significant carbon
footprint. A study by (Lee et al., 2017) compared the environmental impact of
using bamboo-reinforced concrete beams to steel-reinforced concrete beams. The
results showed that the use of bamboo could reduce the environmental impact of
construction significantly.
Concrete is a composite material made up of three basic components: cement,
water, and aggregates (such as sand, gravel, or crushed stone) (Neville and Brooks,
2010).
According to Portland cement association, Concrete is a mixture of paste (Portland
cement) and aggregates, which hardens and gains strength through hydration to
form a rock-like mass
The cement used in concrete is typically Portland cement, which is made by
heating limestone and clay to a high temperature and then grinding the resulting
clinker into a fine powder (Mindess et al., 2003).
Cement is the main constituent of concrete. It can be defined as a material having
adhesive and cohesive properties which make it capable of bonding material
fragment into a compact mass. (Gupta, 2004).

Water is added to the cement powder to form a paste, which then binds the
aggregates together. The water-to-cement ratio is an important factor in
determining the strength and durability of the concrete; a higher ratio of water to
cement can lead to weaker, less durable concrete (Neville and Brooks, 2010).

Reinforcement in concrete refers to the addition of steel bars or other types of

reinforcement material within the concrete mixture to improve its strength and
durability.
 CHAPTER THREE

3.0 Proposed methodology

This research work will be done in the design, constructing and testing for
comparative strength of bamboo cane fiber and reinforcement concrete beam with
construction materials are explained.

3.1 Procurement of Materials:- Select appropriate bamboo cane fibers and

steel bars for the study. The bamboo should be harvested at the appropriate time
and should be free from defects and pests. The steel bars should meet the
appropriate standards and be of the required size and shape. The material needed
are made available. Materials are Bamboo, steel, Portland cement, Fine aggregate
like sand, coarse aggregate like granite.

3.2 Arrangement of Bamboo and steel:- The Bamboo is arranged to form a

single reinforced unit. The same is done for the steel.

3.3 Concrete Preparation:- Prepare concrete samples with both bamboo cane
fibers and steel bars as reinforcement. The concrete mix design should be the same
for both samples, and the proportions should be determined based on the strength
requirements.
3.4 Mixing Ratio:- The mixing ratio is 1:3:6 and 1:2:4. The mixing is done by
hand (Hand mixing). The mixing is turned by a shovel until the mix is uniform,
then the mix is poured into the formwork.

3.5 Concrete test:- Test such as Slump test, Compacting factor test are carried
out to test for the required results. Flexural test is also carried out on the concrete
beam.
The slump test is a commonly used method to assess the workability and
consistency of fresh concrete. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to carry out a
slump test:
i. Gather the necessary equipment
ii. Prepare the slump cone
iii. Mix the concrete
iv. Fill the slump cone
v. Remove excess concrete
vi. Lift the slump cone
vii. Measure the slump
viii. Record the slump value
ix. Clean the equipment.

The flexural test is used to determine the flexural strength of concrete. Here
are the procedures for conducting a flexural test:-

i. Prepare the specimen

ii. Set up the testing apparatus
iii. Align the specimen
 iv. Measure the span length
v. Apply the load
vi. Record the load and deflection
vii. Continue loading until failure
viii. Calculate the flexural strength

ix. Repeat the test

x. Clean the testing apparatus
3.6 Curing:- The concrete beam will be cured by placing them in a water for 28
days.
3.7 Material test:- Test such as compression test of bamboo culms, Tensile test
on reinforcement steel, and flexural strength on beams are carried out to
determine the characteristic properties of strength of bamboo cane fiber
concrete and reinforced concrete beams.
3.8 Data analysis: Collect and analyze the test data. Compare the strength,
stiffness, and other mechanical properties of the bamboo cane fiber reinforced
concrete and steel reinforced concrete. Also, compare the cost, durability, and
environmental impact of both materials.
3.9 Conclusion: Based on the analysis, draw a conclusion on the suitability
bamboo cane fibers as an alternative to steel in reinforced concrete. Identify the
advantages and disadvantages of using bamboo cane fibers and provide
recommendations for future research.
4.0 Expected result

The result of the study is expected to give an insight on cost of construction of

reinforced concrete structures in residential buildings. The result of the study is
expected to help the construction industry to build safe, durable and economical
structures.
References

Faruk, O.,Bledski, A.K., and Fink, H. P. (2012). Bamboo whisker reinforced

composites: A review. Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites, 31(3),
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Janzen, D.T. (1999) “Concrete Floor on Ground with Portland Cement”, Pearson
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Lee, M. J., Kang, S. H., and Lee, J. H. (2017). Comparative environmental

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Li, Y. (2015). Strength Properties and Structural Performance for Bamboo, Journal
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Nawy, E.G., Arslan, M., and Rahman, M.M. (2013). Effect of curing and cement
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Pramanik, S., Kundu, S., and Mitra, S. (2016). Experimental investigation of

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