An Investigation into the Use of Bamboo as Reinforcement in Concrete

The behavior of bamboo-reinforced concrete is not well understood, and existing design methods often lead to overly conservative or insufficiently conservative outcomes. This study combines experimental testing and finite element modeling, including flexural tests on bamboo-reinforced beams and pull-out tests on bamboo splints. The research aims to develop a limit state design method for bamboo-reinforced concrete by modeling bond, deflection, and cracking, as well as evaluating the flexural and shear capacities of bamboo-reinforced concrete. Additionally, it examines bamboo's potential as a low carbon footprint reinforcement material for concrete.

Corrugation is presented as a solution for the bamboo weak bond with concrete. A model is developed that can estimate the bond of corrugated bamboo at short embedment lengths based on the shear strength of bamboo and the shear-friction of concrete. A model is developed that can estimate the bond of bamboo at any embedment length using the modulus of elasticity and reinforcement area as inputs. A deflection model is presented that takes into account the effect of low modulus of elasticity of bamboo reinforcement and its weaker bond with concrete in comparison with steel. The cracking of bamboo reinforced concrete is analysed and the results are used to validate established cracking models. Equivalent serviceability to up to 1% steel-reinforced concrete can be achieved using corrugated bundled bamboo reinforcement. At higher reinforcement percentage the use of bamboo becomes less practical due to the limitation of section workability.