An investigation into the use of bamboo as reinforcement in concrete

Khatib, Abdullah

Abstract

The behaviour of bamboo reinforced concrete is not well understood and the methods proposed for its design suffers from problems that can result in an overly conservative design in some situations and unconservative designs in others. This investigation was carried using a combination of experimental testing and finite element modelling. It included flexural testing of bamboo reinforced beams and pull-out testing of bamboo splints. This research contributes to a limit state design method for bamboo reinforced concrete. It includes modelling bond, deflection, and cracking and it investigates how to model the flexural and shear capacities of bamboo reinforced concrete. In addition, this research investigates the credentials of bamboo as a low carbon footprint reinforcement of 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.

Citation

Khatib, A. An investigation into the use of bamboo as reinforcement in concrete. (Thesis). University of the West of England. Retrieved from https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/2783424

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Sep 5, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 17, 2020
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/2783424
• Award Date: Jun 17, 2020