Shear resistance of portal frame reinforced with Bamboo and steel rebar: Experimental and numerical evaluation

Abstract

The main objective of this study is to evaluate the shear resistance of portal frame fabricated with bamboo and steel rebar by following experimental and numerical approaches. In support of sustainable construction, bamboo stripes were utilized as a partial replacement of steel rebar at tension zone of members that are subjected to lateral loading. The performance of nominal portal frame, which are fabricated with steel reinforcement was compared to the portal frames having several replacements of steel reinforcement with bamboo, in terms of seismic resistance and lateral load capacity. The experimental data was correlated based on software analysis using ABAQUS. The partial replacement of steel with bamboo under tension zone of the beams in portal frame was found to be highly effective, and also that the flexural rigidity of the partial bamboo reinforced frame was slightly higher than the nominal portal frame. This study provides insight on the possibility of reinforcing structural members with bamboo, when lateral loading is imminent on the structure.