Evaluation of mechanical properties of different bamboo species for structural applications

Abstract

The aim of this research was to investigate fundamental mechanical properties of different bamboo types which are relevant to construction work. Four bamboo species imported from IHBT Palampur were tested namely Dendrocalumus Hamiltonii, Bambusa Nutans, Bambusa Tulda, Bambusa Balcoa. These species were subjected to three point bending test, tensile test parallel to grain, compression test parallel to axis of culm, shear test parallel to fibre. The results showed that Bambusa Nutans possess excellent mechanical properties in compression and tensile strength, which indicates it can be used as construction material. Most of the bamboo species are hollow but this study takes into account a bamboo which is nearly solid named as Bambusa tulda.The research revealed out that solid bamboo is not too far from hollow one in terms of mechanical properties and can equally be utilized for construction work.