Structural behavior of reinforced concrete beams strengthened with bamboo splints

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to evaluate through bending tests the structural behavior of reinforced concrete beams additionally reinforced with bamboo splints coated with rubber latex. The bamboo splints are prepared from the stems of the Bambusa vulgaris species and are reinforced in the nodal regions. To examine the strength of adhesion between the bamboo splint and concrete, pull out tests are performed for the specimens. The results of the pullout tests of the test samples show the strengthening of the nodes leading to an increase in the normal tension and rupture of the splint instead of its slip. According to the results of the bending beams, the presence of bamboo splints increases their load capacity when compared with the reference beams. This fact indicates a reduction in the amount of steel required as the structural element. Strengthening the nodes of the bamboo splints provides better performance in terms of deflection and also leads to a slight increase in the beams load capacity. It is worth mentioning that the beams additionally reinforced with bamboo splints reinforced in the nodal region present the same cracking pattern as that of reference beams.

Design Procedure for Reinforced Concrete Beams and Reinforcement Replacement by Bamboo

“…According to [1], in response to the never-ending search for renewable materials, the bamboo is an alternative with physical and mechanical characteristics that ensure its performance as a building material, being a low cost, fast growing and perennial plant.…”

“…Even though being a sustainable material that has been used in Asia since ancient times, the overall number of researches in this subject is scarce [5]. However, the use of bamboo as beams' reinforcements has received more attention due to the possibility of using the same structural design methods as reinforced concrete [1], making a pre-treatment.…”

“…Waterproofing treatments that do not damage the interface between concrete and bamboo, such as Asphalt paints, bituminous materials, and epoxy resins, are commonly used in this type of work [4]. Studies have shown [1] [7] that different treatments have a positive reflex in slippage strength.…”

“…According to [10], the performance of bamboo's reinforced beams is like the elastic behavior of regular concrete beams, according to the Bernoulli-Kirchoff bending theory. Studies [1] [11] have promising results on partial and total replacement of steel by bamboo reinforcement on concrete beams.…”