Experimental study of precast concrete walls using bamboo as alternative reinforcement

Abstract

The public's demand for simple, livable houses means that material studies to support this continue to be carried out today, starting from using natural materials such as bamboo as precast concrete walls. This study aims to conduct an experimental study using bamboo rope from the Gigantochloa Apus variety as an alternative reinforcement for precast concrete walls. Research was carried out on 12 precast concrete wall test specimens, and the flexural properties, flexural strength, and crack patterns were formulated when subjected to a quasi-static load concentrated in the middle of the span. The concrete slab measures 600800 mm with a 50 and 75 mm thickness. The three configurations of bamboo bones used include (1) Gedhek-type woven bamboo slats, (2) bamboo slat type, and (3) Sasak-type woven bamboo slats. The research results show that Sasak-type woven bamboo slat reinforcement is the most effective alternative reinforcement. The behavior of the test specimen shows a ductile failure pattern similar to conventional reinforced concrete. The maximum moment capacity achieved is 1.5 to 2.2 times greater than the theoretical nominal moment capacity. Meanwhile, the behavior of test specimens with conventional plate-type woven bamboo slat reinforcement showed sudden and brittle failure due to slippage at the bond between the bamboo reinforcement and concrete. The average maximum moment from the test results is 60% of the theoretical nominal moment. The results of this research recommend that woven bamboo slats of the conventional plate reinforcement type are less effective as alternative reinforcement if they are not given special treatment to increase their adhesion to concrete. Gedhek-type woven bamboo slats are not effective as alternative reinforcement because they cause separation of the top and bottom parts of the woven concrete, thereby reducing the integrity of the cross-section and causing the cross-sectional capacity to be relatively small.