Pilot Study on Capacity-Based Design of Multiculm Bamboo Axial Members with Dowel-Type Connections

Abstract

This study presents a first attempt toward the rational design of bamboo multiculm axial members with dowel-type connections. Specifically, it implements an original combination of grading, use of multiple culms, and capacity design principles to manage the natural variability of bamboo culms and establish a reliable ductile failure. In this context, the study also calibrates the pertinent overstrength factors needed for achieving capacity-based design. The proposed axial members display high ductility and predictability owing to dowel yielding before the other components, i.e., the steel gusset plates and the bamboo culms fail. Furthermore, arranging bolts along two perpendicular planes of the circular cross-section of bamboo culms increases efficiency and offers notable gains in strength over a single plane bolt configuration. The characteristic values of average material/geometric properties of multiculm members estimated from single-culm material tests can predict the experimental 5th percentile yielding of dowel connections with accuracy. Overall, the proposed approach results in reliable multiculm bamboo axial members and shows promise toward a rational engineered design of bamboo structures.