Experimental characterization of multi-full-culm bamboo to steel connections

Abstract

The present research examines the performance of newly developed multi-full-culm bamboo to steel connections under monotonic axial loading. The culms are of Kao Jue (Bambusa pervariabilis) bamboo species. Findings reveal that the plain (unreinforced) connections fail early by undesirable brittle longitudinal splitting of bamboo culms. The confinement provided by hose-clamps inhibits this brittle failure mode, and with sufficient end-lengths, drastically increases the strength and ductility of the connection. Compared to the hollow-section connections with hose clamps, adding mortar infill further increases the strength. However, it also restricts bolt-deformation and thus diminishes the ductility. More importantly, the European Yield Model (which refers to dowelled timber connections) can analytically estimate the obtained experimental yield loads with satisfying accuracy. This is a promising direction towards a more rational and safer structural design of bamboo structures.