Bamboo stick diameter, volume and aspect ratios effect on the compressive behavior of bamboo sticks reinforced concrete mixed with sea sand and seawater

Abstract

Over the past decade, bamboo has received much attention due to its sustainability and strength. The advantages of bamboo over other natural fibres include its abundant existence, high yield, and the ability to quickly reach a maximum height and strength in 3–8 years. Bamboo can be used as an independent structural material and concrete reinforcement in the forms of bamboo culms, bamboo splints, and bamboo composite bars for low-rise and low-cost buildings. In this study, bamboo sticks were adopted as reinforcement for concrete cubes. The following influencing factors were considered: bamboo stick volume ratios of 0.6 %, 1.2 %, and 2.4 %, bamboo stick diameters of 1 mm, 1.5 mm, and 2 mm, and bamboo stick aspect ratios of 10, 20, and 30. The test result shows that with the addition of 0.6 % of sticks, the BSRC compressive strength rose by 3.24 and 17.33 % for length-to-diameter ratios 20 and 30, respectively. The compressive strength of specimens was enhanced by adding 1.2 % and 2.4 % bamboo sticks with a length-to-diameter ratio of 10 by 21.38 and 20.94 %, respectively. The obtained results were compared with the mechanical properties of conventional concrete cubes. Currently, river sand and fresh water are the most often used materials in manufacturing concrete. The widespread use of river sand and freshwater has resulted in major environmental issues. Because many places of the world lack appropriate supplies of fresh water, overuse of this resource is not advised. As a result, saltwater and sea sand were used to create both bamboo stick reinforced concrete and plain concrete specimens. Lastly, a model of strength and stress–strain was proposed.