Abstract
Bamboo is deemed an emerging constructional material with promising application projections due to the reliable natural properties and advantageous structural characteristics. However, there is a lack of systematic studies on the mechanical characteristics of the bamboo species from a microstructural scale. Hence, this paper investigated the primary mechanical properties of the bamboo specimens (Dendrocalamus asper) with further microstructural analysis on the bamboo failure. The direct tensile strength of bamboo specimens was about 226.45 MPa, while the final splitting tensile modulus was found to be 2.88 MPa. Microstructural characterisation of the failed tensile specimens indicates that fibre debonding is the main failure mechanism under tensile conditions. On the other hand, splitting and end bearing failure were found on compression test specimens. In addition, nanoindentation tests were carried out on different cell structures to articulate the hardness and Young’s modulus. The elastic modulus of the fibre cell walls is three times that of the parenchyma cell walls, yet the hardness values are comparable. This confirms that the specimen failure of previous macromechanical testing is due to crack propagation along the parenchyma cells, instead of the cell walls. Based on the experimental studies discussed in this paper, the conclusion can convey a positive message regarding the ability of bamboo as a primary sustainable substitute for conventional construction materials.
Highlights
Based on the experimental studies discussed in this paper, the conclusion can convey a positive message regarding the ability of bamboo as a primary sustainable substitute for conventional construction materials
An emerging research trend that has caught considerable attention is the usage of bamboo as a sustainable substitute to conventional construction material [5]. is research fame can be attributed to the bamboo’s high tensile strength, lightweight, flexibility, and appealing aesthetics and most importantly the fast-growing mechanism which automatically categorises it as a desirable renewable source [6]. e resources of the bamboo in all Advances in Materials Science and Engineering species and types are quite common and rich around the globe with widespread plantation grounds globally. ough, the presence is predominant in the Far East, where 65% of the species exist and thrive. is gives Asian nations a peculiar opportunity to further develop the construction sector through sustainable usage of the bamboo present abundantly [7]
It is anticipated that the bamboo can yield up to 50 m3 per hectare/year, whereas timber can produce 2.3 to 10 m3/year [9]. e mechanical properties of the bamboo species are deemed to be equivalent to the timber and far superior to soft wood in terms of tensile, flexural, and compressive strengths. ough, bamboo species lucratively consumes less energy than conventional construction materials like cement, steel, and concrete [10,11,12]
Summary
An emerging research trend that has caught considerable attention is the usage of bamboo as a sustainable substitute to conventional construction material [5]. E mechanical properties of the bamboo species are deemed to be equivalent to the timber and far superior to soft wood in terms of tensile, flexural, and compressive strengths. To solve existing drawbacks in modern bamboo structural engineering research, an efficient and comprehensive base experimental study on the structural characteristics of the bamboo specimens and the microstructural investigation into the failure mechanism could be lucratively presented for a better and general overview understanding of the performance of the bamboo species fibres, to lead further expansion of this futuristic research field in construction and materials sustainability
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