Flexural Testing on <i>Dendrocalamus</i> Bamboo in Thailand: Mechanical Properties, Structural Performance, and Engineering Applications

Abstract

Bamboo, a renewable construction material, has advantageous mechanical properties that are crucial for efficient engineering. However, there is limited research on the Dendrocalamus bamboo species grown in Thailand. This work conducted bending experiments on four types of Dendrocalamus bamboo to examine their general and mechanical properties. The study investigates the impact of different bamboo species and culm positions on the static responses of reinforced concrete beam systems. The experimental data were collected through statistical methodology and used to develop equations for estimating the modulus of rupture. The studies reveal that the moisture content and density are affected by the culm position, with the bottom part having the highest moisture content and the top part having the lowest. Next, bending testing revealed that Dendrocalamus giganteus Munro specimens had the highest elastic modulus and modulus of rupture. A finite displacement–based beam model is introduced to demonstrate the practical uses of bamboo in engineering. The results show that bamboo culm positions have a slight impact on the reinforced concrete (RC) beam’s response with normal or high-strength concrete, but their effects are more pronounced with low concrete strength.