This study presents the experimental evaluation of the behaviour of beams and columns made of Glued Laminated Guadua (GLG) bamboo. Flexural tests were conducted on structural size beams of various span lengths and two lamination orientations (horizontal and vertical) in order to evaluate the different capacities achieved according to the predominant induced stresses, bending or shear. Experimental results indicated a reduction of bending strength as the member’s size increased whereas lamination in the vertical direction presented 12% higher values of modulus of rupture (MOR), and 9% higher values of modulus of elasticity (MOE) compared to equivalent results for lamination in the horizontal direction. Additionally, compression tests were performed on structural size columns with various slenderness ratios and two lamination orientations. Although minor differences were found for lamination orientation, lower capacities were observed as the slenderness ratio increased. This experimental data is expected to be used in order to propose adjustment factors for structural size beams as well as the determination of the column stability factor.
