Experimental study on basic mechanical properties of new BFRP-bamboo sandwich structure

Abstract

Basalt fibre reinforced polymer (BFRP) bamboo sandwich structure is composed of BFRP material and bamboo lumber, which can overcome the disadvantages of the industrial bamboo material such as poor shear performance, and severe corrosion damage, and effectively improve mechanical properties. Specimens of BFRP-bamboo sandwich panels were prepared using compression molding technique. Through tensile test, compression test, bending test, and shear test, the basic mechanical properties of the novel BFPR-bamboo sandwich structure were studied. The comparison tests with the control specimens of the laminated bamboo lumber (LBL) and the parallel bamboo strand lumber (PBSL) show that: (1) the tensile capacity of bamboo laminates has increased by 15.1% and 16.5% respectively, and the hybrid principle of composite materials can predict its tensile properties; (2) the compressive capacity increased by 39.9% and 21.8%, and the compressive behaviour can be estimated using the column buckling theory; (3) both the flexural bearing capacity and deformability are improved, and the flexural bending properties can be analyzed based on the theory of composite sandwich structure; (4) after composite with BFRP, the shear capacity can be increased by 44% and 22% respectively.