Development of bamboo winding composite pipe (BWCP) and its compression properties

Abstract

A new bio-composite pipe structure named bamboo winding composite pipe (BWCP) was made of bamboo slivers, and its mechanical performance was investigated. Bamboo winding composite pipe that is lightweight and has high strength mechanical properties can be used in water conveyance projects as a green alternative to traditional pipeline materials. Continuous lengths of bamboo slivers were reinforced with resin matrix, which were then fed through a mechanical arch-shaped winder to fabricate the BWCP. The specific ring stiffness of BWCP was comparable to that of fiberglass reinforced plastic pipe (GFRP). The BWCP density was 46.1% to 54.9% lower than that of GFRP. The BWCP exhibited a typical ductile failure and underwent significant deformation before fracture, with the pipe radial deflection at nearly 30%, which is nine times higher than that of brittle fracture failure of GFRP. The interlaminar shearing properties of the BWCP were higher in the structural layer reinforced by bamboo than that of the inner layer made of polyurethane. The BWCP was comparable to most materials used in the pipe industry, exhibiting light weight and high strength.