A Study On Bamboo Reinforced Concrete Beams

ISSN 2278 3083
International Journal of Science and Applied Information Technology (IJSAIT), Vol. 4 , No.3, Pages : 49 - 53 (2015)
Special Issue of ICCET 2015 - Held on July 13, 2015 in Hotel Sandesh The Prince, Mysore, India
http://warse.org/IJSAIT/static/pdf/Issue/iccet2015sp07.pdf
A Study on Bamboo Reinforced Concrete Beams

Farhana Naznin1, Dr.( Mrs) Nayanmoni Chetia2
1
P.G Student - Jorhat Engineering College, India, [email protected]

Asistant Professor - Jorhat Engineering College, India, [email protected]
plantation and it is always advisable to go for matured

bamboo for construction purpose. Bamboo is normally
considered as organic and to mitigate this problem treatment
is given to the bamboo samples to make the free from pest
and insect attacks. One of the most important factors to be
considered is that it shows its efficiency in climates having at
least a little amount of humidity [4].
Many researchers have conducted research on the
engineering properties of bamboo and found it suitable to be
used as substitution for steel although it has a little less
strength than steel.
Abstract: In todays world construction industry is the highest

consumer of the available natural resources, thereby making
sustainable development a major issue of concern in order to satisfy
the ever increasing demands of the worlds inflated population,
leading to use of alternate building materials. Bamboo being a
natural composite product and due to its many positive aspects such
as availability, serviceability, strength and economy can be
considered as an alternate building material in place of steel. In this
study an attempt has been made to investigate the material
properties of locally available species- Bamboosa Tulda and its
flexural performance in beams as tension reinforcement. An
average of 440N/mm2 of tensile strength was determined
experimentally for bamboo splints and a better flexural
performance was observed for beams with more numbers of
reinforcements and shear links than those without. The test results
i.e. flexural strength of 7, 28, and 45 days were taken into
consideration for comparison purpose. Moreover remarkable
reduction in the mid span deflection in concrete beams was
observed when provided with bamboo reinforcements. Hence
leaves an option of using bamboo as potential reinforcement in low
cost construction.
ENGINEERING PROPERTIES
The mechanical and physical property of bamboo varies
from species to species and from soil to soil but still it has
average strength properties making it suitable for
engineering purpose.
Tensile strength:
Bamboo is very good in tensile strength and it may vary from
species to species but an average tensile strength of to
times to that of steel or sometimes even more can be found
[2,6,8,9].
Moisture content:
The moisture content in bamboo varies along its height,
location and with seasoning period- one of the vital factors in
deciding the life of bamboo. The top portion of bamboo has
consequently lower moisture content than the middle and the
basal portion at any stages of seasoning. Water absorption is
inversely proportional to moisture content whereas
dimensional changes, tensile and compressive strength is
directly proportional to moisture content [11].
Bond strength:
The slippage in reinforcement is prevented by the bond
between concrete and the reinforcing material. The factors
effecting bond strength are: adhesive properties of the
cement matrix, the compressive friction forces appearing on
the surface of reinforcing bar due to shrinkage of concrete
and the shear resistance of concrete due to surface form and
roughness of the reinforcing bar. The dimensional changes of
bamboo due to moisture and temperature variation tend to
affect all the three bond characteristics severely [1,10].
Key words: Bamboosa Tulda, Bamboo reinforced concrete

beams, Flexural strength, Tensile strength.
INTRODUCTION
India, one of the most populous countries of the world is
house to many sections of people who are below average in
case of poverty. Shortage of housing facilities among them
due to alarming rate of unaffordability has become a matter
of concern in todays Indian scenario. As a matter of fact an
attempt has been made to introduce low cost houses which
are durable, safe and affordable [3]. Bamboo one of the
oldest construction materials has been considered to have a
high tensile strength and is being used as main structural
component- reinforcement for these low cost houses.
Bamboo, bearing the scientific name as BASMBUSA
TULDA, BANBUSA BALCONA etc. is fastest growing woody
plant belonging to grass family. Some of these species grow
so fast that we can even see them growing. They are capable
of growing 60cm or more in a day and can grow up to 30m or
more. They can be grown in any climatic condition and soil
type which is major factor for considering it. However the
growth rate depends on the local climatic condition and soil
type. It is considered to be matured after three years of its
EXPERIMENATAL PROCEDURE
Locally available species Bambusa Tulda was collected
and made into splints of 16mm & 20mm respectively. These
are then treated with Copper Chrome Boron treatment. And
they are then surface dried. Fig 3 shows treatment procedure.
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Fig 6: Caging of bamboo

reinforced beams
Fig 2 (a): Plain splints
Fig 7: Concreting of bamboo

beams.
Fig 2(b) : Tor splints
Fig 1: Cutting of bamboo culms into splints

Fig 8: During casting process
Fig 9: Beams cast
Fig1, Fig 2(a) and Fig 2(b) shows the cutting and reparation
of bamboo splints both in plain and tor formed respectively.
Two types of bamboo splints are considered plain and tor
[5].
Fig 10: Specimens of bamboo reinforced beams
Fig 7, 8, 9, 10 shows the casting procedure of the prepared

bamboo reinforced beams.
Fig 3: Bamboo during teatment
TESTS
These tor splints are then coated with bitumen and sand is
sprinkled over them for developing a rough surface to
increase the bond strength [3]. Fig 4 and Fig 5 shows the
procedure. Caging of the bamboo reinforced beams is
prepared providing steel as the stirrup material [7]. Fig 6
shows the caging of the beams.
Fig 4: Providing bitumen coating

on bamboo bars
Tensile Test on bamboo splints

Tensile tests were conducted for the bamboo splints of
16mm and 20mm diameter bars. Due to the problem of
slippage the ends of the splints were wrapped in G.I wire, and
then they were tested for tension in UTM [8]. Fig11 shows
wrapping of G.I wires to the splints. As bamboo splints are
not perfectly round, instead of providing the traditional jaws
used for HYSD bars flat jaws has been provided in the UTM
to get proper grip
Fig 5: Bitumen coated and sand

sprinkled bamboo bars
These samples are then cast in concrete mix of M25 with a

water cement ratio of 0.4.
Fig 11: Bamboo ends wrapped in wire for tension test
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Fig 15: Failure pattern of the beam

Fig 12: Failure at the nodal portion
Moisture Content Test:

Moisture content of bamboo varies from species to
species due to cultivation area, climatic conditions etc. The
test for Bamboosa Tulda was conducted on treated specimens
seasoned for three months [11]. It is found with the following
formula:
Initial weight-final
Moisture content =
(in %)
Initial weight
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
Fig 13: Failure pattern after releasing from grove.
Tension Test
From the test it has been evaluated that the tensile
strength of bamboo splints were found to be always more
than that of mild steel even it extended up to a range of 440
N/mm2 for a bamboo splint of 16mm diameter. Fig 16 & 17
shows the load versus displacement curve of 16 and 20mm
bamboo splints respectively. The corresponding elongations
were found to be in the range of 5% to 6%, inevitably this was
reflected when beams were cast by providing bamboo
reinforcement in different schemes.
Fig 12 and Fig 13 shows the failure pattern.

Flexure Test
Flexure test were performed on 15 x 15x 70 cm beams and
results were tabulated for 7, 28 and 45 days respectively. The
beams used for testing were reinforced with 16mm, 20mm
bamboo splints both plain and tor. Two different cases
splints without shear links and with shear links were
considered [3]. Fig14 shows the four points bent test
performed on a flexure testing machine of 100 KN capacities.
The midpoint deflection was measured with the help of a
deflection dial gauge fitted to an undisturbed horizontal
datum bar. Fig 15 shows the failure pattern.
Fig 16: Load vs Displacement curve for 16mm bamboo splints
Fig 14: Flexure testing machine
Fig 17: Load vs Displacement curve for 20mm bamboo splints
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Flexure Test
Fig 18 and 19 shows that the more the number of
reinforcement the better is the flexural strength even an
increase in diameter and addition of shear links also results
in better flexural performance. Both plain and tor splints
were tested for flexure. The tor bars performed well due to
better bond strength with a maximum improvement of
flexural strength in 28 days i.e. 1.8 times and minimum
improvement of 1.19 times to that of plain unreinforced
concrete beam sections.
Fig 22: Increase of load pattern with respect to plain concrete beam.
Fig 20 and 21 show comparison of deflections of bamboo

reinforced beams with plain unreinforced beam sections. Fig
22 shows a uniform trend has been noticed in the increase in
load pattern with respect to that of the plain concrete beam in
the corresponding days- 7, 28 and 45 days .
Fig 18: Strength comparison of 16mm bars with respect to plain concrete
beams.
Fig 23: Deflection pattern with resect to plain concrete beam
Fig 19: Strength comparison of 20mm bars with respect to plain concrete
beams.
Fig 23 shows that there is a reduction in the defelection

pattern at the mid span section of the beam, thereby showing
another positive aspect about the work. However no uniform
trend has been observed but the reduction in deflection
pattern has been noticed upto 13.7 % of that of original plain
concrete beams.
Fig 20: Deflections of beam with 16mm bamboo splints with respect to plain
concrete beams
Fig 24: % increase in loads for 28 days
Fig 21: Deflections of beam with 20mm bamboo splints with respect to plain
concrete beams
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REFERENCES
[1]
Ghavami Khosrow. (2005). Bamboo as reinforcement in structural

concrete elements. Cement & Concrete Composites 27(2005)637-649
http://www.elsevier.com/locate/cemconcomp.
[2] Gutu.T, A study on mechanical strength properties of bamboo to
enhance its diversification on its utilisation . International journal of
innovative technology and exploring engineering. ( IJITEE ) ISSN:
2278-3077, vol 2, issue 5, April 2013.
[3] Ikponmwosa Ete et.al , Flexural performance of bamboo reinforced
foam aerated concrete beams with or without compression
reinforcements International journal of scientific and engineering
research , Vol 5 , Issue 3, ISSN:2229-5518 , March 2014.
[4] Jr. Humberto.C.Lima et.al , Durablity analysis of bamboo as concrete
reinforcement, Materials and Structures 41:981-989,DOI
10.1617/s11527-007-9299-9 , September 2007.
[5] Khare Leena, Performance evaluation of bamboo reinforced concrete
beams M.S. thesis , Dept. Civil Engg., Texas Univ, Arlington ,
December 2005.
[6] Lakkad.S.C et.al, Mechanical properties of bamboo, a natural
composite,
Fiber
Science
and
Technology
0015-0568/81/0014-0319/S02.50, Applied Science publishers Ltd,
England, 1981.
[7] Mark Adom-Asamoah et.al, A comparitive study of bamboo
reinforced concrete beams using different stirrup materials for rural
constructions.International Journal of Civil and Structural
Engineering,Vol 2,No 1,2011,ISSN 0976-4399, November 2011.
[8] Sabbir.Md.Ahsan et.al, Determination of tensile property of bamboo
for using as potential reinforcement in the concerete,International
Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering IJCEE-IJENS, Vol
11 No 5,September 2011.
[9] Sevalia.Jigar.K ,Study on bamboo as reinforcement in cement
concrete.International Journal of Engineering Research and
Application,ISSN:2248-9622,Vol
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2,
pp1181-1190,March-April 2013.
[10] Terai.M and Minami.K , Bamboo reinforcement concrete
structure15WCEE LISBOA.
[11] Wakchaure.M.R and Kute.S.Y , Effect of moisture content in the
physical and mechanical prroperties of bamboo. Asian Journal of
Civil Engineering (Building and Housing) Vol 13, No 6, pages
753-763, February 2012.
Fig 25: % increase in loads for 45days
Fig 24 and 25 show the increased load pattern with increased

in the area for 28 and 45 days.
Moisture Content Test
Initial weight = 16.620g
Final weight =14.760g
16.620- 14.720
Moisture content =
16.620
=11.432%
Since moisture content of 11.432% was observed it can be
interpreted that the specimen was extracted from top portion
of the bamboo.
CONCLUSION
From the results of this experimental work the following
conclusion were made:
a) While studying the failure pattern of bamboo splints in
tension a sharp peak followed by a sudden fall in the graph
has been observed which is due to lack of ductility in bamboo
unlike steel provided by molecular slippage resulting in
more elongation percentage. Nevertheless bamboo provides a
high tensile strength of about 440 N/mm2 which actually
depends on the species, cultivation area and the cross
sectional area.
b) A better flexural performance has been observed with
increase in number of reinforcement, diameter of the bars
and addition of shear links to the bamboo reinforced beams.
c) A better bond strength has been found in the tor bamboo
bars providing an improvement in flexural strength of
maximum of 1.81times and a minimum of 1.19 times to that
unreinforced beam sections observed in 28 days strength test.
d) Though the prime study was increase in flexural strength
but in practical case as the span of beams is more, mid span
deflection is an important criterion when serviceability limit
state is considered.
Hence the study of bamboo reinforced concrete also
illuminates this field reduction in mid span defection as
well as increased flexural strength.
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ISSN 2278 3083