In this paper, the bending properties of a 3-ply cross-laminated bamboo and timber (CLBT), prefabricated with the bamboo mat-curtain panel and hem-fir lumber, were examined in the major and minor strength directions, and a 3-ply hem-fir cross-laminated timber (CLT) was taken as a control group. The analytical model for the sum of the orthogonal apparent bending moduli with the two types of layer classifications were proposed, and the two kinds of contribution models were developed to analyze the apparent bending modulus variation behavior of the CLBT and CLT panels in the major and minor strength directions. The experimental results showed that since the CLBT group had more internal orthogonal structures, its difference in the bending properties between the major and minor strength directions was lower than that of the CLT group. Furthermore, the proposed contribution models quantitatively analyzed the relationship between the apparent bending moduli of the CLBT and CLT panels and the corresponding composition layer characteristics. The contribution model to characterize the apparent bending modulus in major and minor strength directions demonstrated good agreement with the test results. Based on this model interpreted by three-dimensional figures, the contribution variation characteristics in the major and minor strength directions were revealed.
A research study was undertaken to investigate the mechanical performance of glulam beams reinforced by CFRP or bamboo. Local reinforcement is proposed in order to improve the flexural strength of glulam beams. The glulam beam is strengthened in tension and along its sides with the carbon fiber-reinforced polymer CFRP or bamboo. A series of CFRP reinforced glulam beams and bamboo reinforced glulam beams were tested to determine their load-deformation characteristics. Experimental work for evaluating the reinforcing technique is reported here. According to experiment results, the CFRP and bamboo reinforcements led to a higher glulam beam performance. By using CFRP and bamboo reinforcements several improvements in strength may be obtained.
Sustainability is now becoming a major concern in the modern construction industry. Despite being a major economic sector, the construction industry is causing adverse environmental impact. To this end, special attention should be paid to the selection of more "green" construction materials for structural applications. Therefore, a reasonable choice of construction materials can be made on the bases of acceptable structural performance, economic benefits, and sustainability. For instance, the use of composite beams made with traditional concrete and bio-based materials (such as timber and bamboo) is a valuable solution. Timber-Concrete Composite (TCC) beams have been used for decades in various structural applications such as new buildings, refurbishment of old timber structures, and bridges with several environmental benefits. Recently, different researchers proposed composite beams similar to TCC ones but based on engineered bamboo commonly named Bamboo-Concrete Composite (BCC) beams. This study presents comparison of the failure mode of the TCC and BCC beams udder fourpoint bending test. In particular, TCCs beams are compared with BCC ones considering similar shear connectors.
In order to explore bamboo glulam utilization in structure construction, the adhesive bonded steel connection of bamboo glulam was investigated in this study. By carrying out both-end pullout tests on glued-in threaded rods in bamboo glulam, the effects of depth and diameter of embedded rods in bamboo glulam on the pullout strength and the failure modes were discussed. Results showed that threaded rods fracture and adhesive interface failure were the two main different failure modes in the tests. The pullout peak load of both-end glued-in rods in bamboo glulam increased with the diameter and the embedded length of the threaded rods. To satisfy tensile load of the glued threaded rods (quality 4.8) used in the connections between engineering structural materials, the slenderness ratio ( , the ratio of depth and diameter of glued-in threaded rods) equal to 10 or over was necessary.
The effects of veneer orientation and loading direction on the mechanical properties of bamboo-bundle/poplar veneer laminated veneer lumber (BWLVL) were investigated by a statistical analysis method. Eight types of laminated structure were designed for the BWLVL aiming to explore the feasibility of manufacturing high-performance bamboo-based composites. A specific type of bamboo species named Cizhu bamboo (Neosinocalamus affinis) with a thickness of 6 mm and diameter of 65 mm was used. The wood veneers were from fast-growing poplar tree (Populus ussuriensis Kom.) in China. The bamboo bundles were obtained by a mechanical process. They were then formed into uniform veneers using a onepiece veneer technology. Bamboo bundle and poplar veneer were immersed in water-soluble phenol formaldehyde (PF) resin with low molecular weight for 7 min and dried to MC of 8–12 % under the ambient environment. All specimens were prepared through hand lay-up using compressing molding method. The density and mechanical properties including modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR), and shearing strength (SS) of samples were characterized under loading parallel and perpendicular to the glue line. The results indicated that as the contribution of bamboo bundle increased in laminated structure, especially laminated on the surface layers, the MOE, MOR and SS increased. A lay-up BBPBPBB (Bbamboo, P-poplar) had the highest properties due to the cooperation of bamboo bundle and poplar veneer. A higher value of MOE and MOR was found for the perpendicular loading test than that for the parallel test, while a slightly higher SS was observed parallel to the glue line compared with perpendicular loading. Any lay-up within the homogeneous group can be used to replace others for obtaining the same mechanical properties in applications. These findings suggested that the laminated structure with high stiffness laid-up on the surface layers could improve the performance of natural fiber reinforced composites.
Guadua angustifolia Kunth (Guadua) was subjected to thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) treatments that modified its microstructure and mechanical properties. THM treatment was applied to Guadua with the aim of tackling the difficulties in the fabrication of standardised construction materials and to gain a uniform fibre density profile that facilitates prediction of mechanical properties for structural design. Dry and water saturated Guadua samples were subjected to THM treatment. A densified homogenous flat sheet material was obtained. Mechanical properties of small clear specimens of THM modified Guadua were evaluated by testing in tension and compared to the results of the same test on a control specimen. Samples were tested in the elastic range to determine values for Modulus of Elasticity (MOE) and Poisson’s ratio. There was a significant increase in the tensile MOE values (parallel to the direction of the fibres) for densified samples. MOE values measured were 16.21 GPa, 22.80 GPa and 31.04 GPa for control, densified dry and densified water saturated samples respectively. Oven dry densities for these samples were 0.54 g/cm3, 0.81 g/cm3 and 0.83 g/cm3. Despite a 50 % reduction in the radial Poisson’s ratio for the water saturated sample, no further variation in the Poisson’s ratio as a result of densification was observed for control and densified dry samples. This paper presents the results of the first phase of a study focussed on the manufacturing of flat Guadua sheet (FGS) by THM treatment and the characterization of its mechanical properties. The achievement of a dimensionally stable FGS by THM modification, with a uniform density and achieved with reduced labour effort during manufacture, will be of key importance for the development of structural applications, and could have a significant impact in the bamboo industry. The final aim of the research at the University of Bath is the development of Cross Laminated Guadua (CLG) panels using THM modified and laminated FGS glued with a high performance resin.
Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Construction Materials
Summary
Novel cross-laminated bamboo panels comprising three and five layers (G-XLam3 and G-XLam5) were tested in compression along the main (0°) and the transverse (90°) directions. Linear variable differential transformer (LVDT) and non-contact three-dimensional digital image correlation (DIC) measuring techniques were used separately to measure deformation in the elastic region, and the elastic moduli, Ep C,0 and Ep C,90, were derived. Mean elastic modulus values obtained using LVDTs exhibited a good match with analytically predicted values. In contrast, the elastic values obtained by the DIC method were considerably higher and presented a considerable scatter of results. For instance, the Ep C,0 for G-XLam3 and G-XLam5 panels were 17·22 and 15·67 GPa, and 14·86 and 12·48 GPa, using the DIC and LVDT methods, respectively. In general, G-XLam panels with a fifth of the cross-sectional thickness and twice the density of analogous cross-laminated timber exhibited an approximately two-fold increase in Ep C,0 and Ep C,90. Overall, this research provides guidelines for the assessment and standardisation of the testing procedures for similar engineered bamboo products using contact and non-contact methods and highlights the potential of using G-XLam panels in stiffness-driven applications and in combination with wood for structural purposes.
+in+orthogonal+strength+directions){kind=link}
+Made+from+Bamboo+and+Hemlock-fir+Mix){kind=link}
+Measured+in+Tension){kind=link}
