Analysis of the Bolted Connection of a Bamboo Composite I-Shaped Beam Subjected to Bending

Abstract

Sustainable development could have a significant impact on conventional construction, reducing or replacing steel and concrete as primary materials in structures. Bamboo, a natural resource, has been used as a general building material for decades in some regions of the world. Countries in Asia and South America have found many uses for bamboo because it grows rapidly and has excellent mechanical properties. The purpose of this paper is to test the designs of different configurations of bolted connections in order to create a composite bamboo I-shaped beam for further applications. Three different configurations of connections for a bamboo composite I-shaped beam were analyzed, with the purpose of identifying an optimal configuration that results in a stiffer, safer beam. A three-dimensional Finite Element Model (FEM) computational model was developed to identify areas of high stress concentration and maximum deflection for the various connection configurations. The findings of this paper are a first step in the process of considering and validating composite bamboo I-shaped beams as a primary construction material in structures such as bridges and buildings.