Multilayer bamboo composite hollow-core: Lab-scale and non-destructive testing of full-scale concrete bridges considering transverse bamboo pole as shear reinforcement

Abstract

Due to bamboo's superior mechanical qualities, it has been often used in rural construction, however research on bamboo poles as structural reinforcement has been fairly limited. The purpose of this paper is to introduce a novel composite system made of several layers of bamboo hollow-core, named Mulbamcomphol concrete system for simplicity. On that premise, this paper analyzes the implementation of a composite slab system on a short span bridge consisting of concrete and multilayer bamboo arranged in a cross-section, without any utilization of steel reinforcement. Mulbamcomphol is so termed because to the presence of entire bamboo in this composite system (multilayer cross-ply bamboo composite hollow-core). Non-destructive testing will be utilized to analyze the flexural behavior of a full-scale vehicle under an actual service load. Due to the difficulties of obtaining exact results and the potential for bias, the study is conducted using a FEM-based model (thick shell and solid element). Bamboo slabs with a weak axis can sustain less stress than regular slabs, but they deflect by 81% less when subjected to the same 21 kN force. Simultaneously, when tested on a rigid axis, multilayer bamboo pole slabs can withstand a force 52 % more than conventional slabs at the same concrete volume, resulting in a 73 % reduction in deflection. Bridges constructed using Mulbamcomphol cross-ply bamboo composite concrete slab systems, on the other hand, demonstrate higher resistance to flexural loads in terms of ductility and maximum load that can be carried in both analysis and experimental testing.