Bamboo as Replacement in Reinforcing Steel Bars for Structural Concrete

Rommel Dave Ocheda Tejano

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering

Instructor: Rene M. Bonifacio
Date: May 2016
Thesis Statement:
Bamboo will be used as replacement to steel bars for reinforcement. Tests in
bending, shear, and compression will be conducted to evaluate if bamboo can replace
the material. The structural elements that will be tested are beams and columns.
Outline:
I.
II.

Introduction
Background about Construction Materials

III.
IV.
V.
VI.

VII.
VIII.

a. Bamboo
b. Steel
Importance of Reinforcement in Structural Concrete
Review of Related Literature
Advantages and Disadvantage of Bamboo for Reinforcement in
a. Beams
b. Columns
Tests of Materials in terms of
a. Bending Stress
b. Compressive Strength
c. Flexural Stress
Summary/Conclusion
References

Abstract
This research paper deals with cost-wise comparison of steel reinforcement
with bamboo reinforcement. The utilization of bamboo reinforcement as replacement
of steel reinforcement is gaining immense importance today, mainly on account of the
improvement in the economical aspect combined with ecological benefits. To study
the effect of replacement of steel reinforcement by bamboo reinforcement, designs
have been conducted on one way slab of size 3000 x 7000 sq-mm with providing
beam of 7000 mm length and 250 x 250 sq-mm. In this paper the designs are done on
the basis of shearing, bending, and compression. Based on this study of cost versus

strength provided results have been discussed in the paper. The projected result is that
bamboo has enough properties that it can replace rebars but with some disadvantages.

Bamboo as replacement in reinforcing steel bars for Structural Concrete

Introduction
Bamboo is a rapid growing fibrous plant available in abundance on
the earth. It has tremendous economic potential. It is one of the oldest
traditional building materials used by mankind. The bamboo culm, or
stem, has been made into an extended diversity of products ranging from
domestic household products to industrial applications.
Bamboo is quite common for bridges, scaffolding and housing, but it
is usually used as a temporary exterior structural material. In many overly
populated regions of the tropics, certain bamboos supply the one suitable

material that is sufficiently cheap and plentiful to meet the extensive need
for economical housing (Nayak, 2013).

The present energy crisis provoked by indiscriminate industrial growth has

caused increasing concerns about managing the energy resources still available and
about environmental degradation. There is an intense on-going search for nonpolluting materials and manufacturing processes, which require less energy. Attention
of researchers and industries has turned to materials such as vegetable fibers including
bamboo, soil, wastes from industry, mining, and agriculture for engineering
applications.
With the advancement of science and technology and the tight
supply of timber, new methods are needed for the processing of bamboo
to make it more durable and more usable in terms of building materials.
Studies have been carried out on the basic properties and on processing of
bamboo into various kinds of composite products. Bamboo has several
unique advantages like ability to grow fast with a high yield and also it
matures quickly. Additionally, bamboo can be grown abundantly and that
too at a lower cost which makes it more economical.

It is in this vein that this study is conceptualized. Thus, this study aims to
bridge this gap as it evaluates if bamboo has enough strength to replace steel bars as a
reinforcement.

Statement of the Problem

This study aims to evaluate if bamboo has enough strength to replace steel
bars as a reinforcement. Specifically, the study seeks to answer the following
questions:
1. Is it economical and safe to use bamboo as reinforcement?
2. Are the mechanical and chemical characteristics of bamboo adequate enough
for reinforcement?
3. What are the advantages of Bamboo as reinforcement?
4. What are the disadvantages of Bamboo as reinforcement?
5. Is using Bamboo for reinforcement effective and efficient?

Significance of the Study

This study would help all civil engineering students and professors, engineers,
and home builders in designing structural plans. It will help utilize the use of bamboo
and minimize the use of high cost steels. People who want to plan houses can save
since bamboo is cheaper. Bamboo production will grow if it will totally replace steel
as reinforcement.
Scope and Limitation of the Study
This study is limited to the strength performance of bamboo on beams and
columns only. The species of bamboo that will be used is Bambusa blumeana. The
respondents of this research will be the civil or structural engineers.
Time and Place of the Study
The study will be at Musuan, Maramag, Bukidnon on May 2016.

Definition of Terms

Bamboo A giant woody grass found in tropical places (Merriam Webster 2016). In
this study, it is the material that will be used as replacement for steel bars as
reinforcement.
Reinforced Concrete - A combination of concrete and steel reinforcing wherein the
steel provides the tensile strength lacking in the concrete (McCormac,
2014). It is the structural element where reinforcement will be applied.
Beam - is a horizontal member spanning an opening and carrying a load that may be a
brick or stone (Britannica, 2016).
Column - is a structural element that transmits, through compression, the weight of
the structure above to other structural elements below (Merriam Webster,
2012).
Compressive Strength - is the capacity of a material or structure to withstand loads
tending to reduce size (Callister, 2003).
Shear Stress - denoted in Greek is defined as the component of stress coplanar
with a material cross section. Shear stress arises from the force
vector component parallel to the cross section (Hibbeler, 2004).
Bending Stress - characterizes the behavior of a slender structural element
subjected to an external load applied perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of
the element (Gere, 1997).

Conceptual Framework

Bamboo

Compressive
Flexural
Bending

Test and Analysis of Structural

Elements

Beams and Columns

Review of Related Literature

Building with bamboo looks back on an ancient tradition in the regions in

which plant grows in abundance, such as South America, Africa and, in particular, in
South-East-Asia. Bamboo is one of the oldest construction materials. There has been a
furious construction activity in the developing world, especially India and China, for
the last one and a half decades. Although not directly visible, construction industry is
one of the most polluting industries in the world. Production of both concrete and
steel causes considerable deterioration of the environment. Despite of the long
tradition of building with bamboo, the material is not used frequently in modern
building constructions. Or can we see a change in the use of bamboo? In the past
years architects have been using bamboo in different ways in their designs. From
interior finishes to bamboo constructions the application of bamboo in design is still
developing and there are more new applications to be expected. Materials that are
used in green design are always assessed for their environmental impact. Bamboo can
replace concrete, steel or wood, depending on the situation and the application,

although more built examples and dissemination is needed. Analytical Studies and
research Tjerk Reijenga Role of Bamboo in Green Building Design. In this project
we are comparing steel reinforcement with bamboo reinforcement, its structural and
constructional cost and techniques of replacement of steel with bamboo while
reinforcing. Ghavami (1995) discussed the mechanical properties of Bamboo,
specifically pertaining to Bamboo in concrete. This study showed that the ultimate
load of a concrete beam reinforced with Bamboo increased 400% as compared to unreinforced concrete. It was found that, compared to steel, there was lower bonding
between the bamboo and concrete, and the Bamboo had a Modulus of elasticity 1/15
of steel. Bamboos compressive strength was much lower than its tensile strength, and
there was high strength along the fibres, but a low strength transverse to the fibres.
Stated is the need for the development of a simple design code for the application of
Bamboo as a construction material. The United States Naval Civil Engineering
Laboratory (1966, 2000) reported a study providing a set of instructions on how to
properly construct a variety of structures and structural elements using Bamboo. This
study suggested not to use green, unseasoned Bamboo for general construction, nor to
use un-waterproofed Bamboo in concrete. Concerning Bamboo reinforced concrete, it
was found that the concrete mix designs may be the same as that used with steel, with
a slump as low as workability will allow. It was recommended that the amount of
Bamboo reinforcement in concrete be 3- 4% of the concretes cross-sectional area as
the optimum amount. It concludes that Bamboo reinforced concrete is a potential
alternative light construction method at a low cost. Amada et al. (1997) investigated
the mechanical and physical properties of Bamboo. They conducted a thorough
investigation into the structure and purposes of the nodes, which they found to

strengthen the Bamboo Culm. They also commented on the advantage Bamboo has
over other natural building materials with its fast growth rate. Masani (1977)
conducted an in-depth study outlining the proper ways to utilize Bamboo in
construction. A listing of the positive aspects of Bamboo is given, citing examples
pertaining to its economical, mechanical, and environmental properties. When used as
reinforcement in concrete, directions are given to insure a better performance,
including discussions on waterproofing, pressure-treating, concrete design, and beam
design. This study found that the Bamboo reinforcement area should be 5 times the
typical steel reinforcement area, and that even when fine cracks develop on the
surface of Bamboo, the load carrying capacity of the member is not reduced. The only
negative properties of Bamboo given are its susceptibility to attack by insects, fungi
and dried bamboo is prone to catch fire. Amada and Untao (2001) studied the fracture
properties of Bamboo. In contradiction to other studies, this study states that the
tensile strength of Bamboo fibres almost corresponds to that of steel. The main
discovery is that the fracture properties of Bamboo depend upon the origin of fracture.
In the nodes, it is found that the average fracture toughness is lower than the
minimum value of the entire Culm, suggesting that the fibres in the nodes do not
contribute any fracture resistance. Power (2004) tells of a study conducted by the
U.K. Department of International Development in response to a devastating
earthquake that killed 40,000 people in Iran. The engineers were looking for cheap
earthquake-proof housing to take the place of mud brick. They constructed a
prototype Bamboo reinforced concrete house and used an earthquake simulator to find
that the house stood sound during a 7.8 (on the Richter scale) earthquake. They found
no cracking in the concrete, the Bamboo to be extremely resilient to earthquakes, and

the cost to be split in half compared to mud-and-brick construction. Seinfeld (2001)

researched the remarkable current uses of Bamboo around the world. In the United
States, it is almost completely used as decoration. A discussion is presented on the
astonishing feature Bamboo brings to the table as mentioned in other articles. Another
special feature about Bamboo is that harvesting Bamboo does not harm the plant,
producing more of its timbers. Bamboo buildings are definitely a prospect of the
future in the US; however in Asia, the Pacific islands, and South & Central America,
they are quite traditional. The main prevention of Bamboo structures in America are
building codes. There are not standardized codes for buildings of Bamboo though
there are attempts towards them. Bamboo is also still being looked at as a way to
clean environmental pollution. It is a consumer of Nitrogen, which could soon be part
of a huge effort to prevent air pollution. The American Bamboo Society (2005)
provided a very intricate collection of specialized terms followed by their definitions
relating to Bamboo. It also has a glossary of questions and answers common to
someone new to the topic. These questions ranged from identifying Bamboo,
preserving Bamboo, finding help with your Bamboo, to other topics not as closing
connected to the research of this project. A study reported in International Network for
Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR) (2002) considered the advantages and disadvantages of
Bamboo used as a structural material. The advantages found in their study concluded
to be areas of: ecological value, good mechanical properties, social and economic
value, and energy consumption. They found disadvantages to be: preservation, fire
risk, and natural growth. Mardjono (1998) provided research with the effort to give
some sort of organization of a system to building with Bamboo between cultures,
species, and countries having varying designs. The objective of their research was to

improve the functions of Bamboo buildings by this organization to provide privacy,

safety, comfort, durability, and accessibility. Overall Bamboo used as a structural
material suffers from an incredible disadvantage due to inadequate applied scientific
research. They do feel that Bamboo products should be brought to the level of
acknowledged and received building materials. The results of their research will be
published as a thesis and guide for designing Bamboo structures to be dispersed to
people in developing countries. A study reported in International Standard
Organization (ISO) (1999) fashioned lab manual for determining the physical and
mechanical properties of Bamboo. The purpose for publishing this manual is first of
all so that these methods are available all over the world. Research is done in so many
places, very precise, yet is stuck in the laboratories. With this document, the methods
are made available. Secondly, this document gives a practical step by step explanation
of how to perform each test specifically following the International Standard
Complement Document Determination of Physical and Mechanical Properties of
Bamboo. Another complement document is Bamboo Structural Design (1999).
Janseen (2000) conducted her study on building with Bamboo. This book covered a
wide variety of aspects of Bamboo going back to the structure of the plant and its
natural habitat. It gives calculations to show why its economically competitive,
mechanical properties, its many uses, its natural durability, and the preservation of the
Bamboo. In much more detail, it discusses the joints and building with pure Bamboo.
In relation to this project, her book does touch on Bamboo used as reinforcement in
concrete. Listed in her book are several things that are more of a hassle than steel
reinforcement. Of those, the bonding between the Bamboo and concrete is considered
the biggest problem due to absorption of water and smooth wall of the Bamboo Culm.

The US Naval Corps is the leading institute in research for bamboo reinforcement
techniques and it has developed some tables and graphs.

Bamboo as a Construction Material

Through research it has been found that some species of bamboo have ultimate
tensile strength same as that of mild steel at yield point. Experimentally, it has been
found that the ultimate tensile strength of some species of bamboo is comparable to
that of mild steel and it varies from 140N/mm2- 280N/mm2. Bamboo is a versatile
material because of its high strength-to-weight ratio, easy workability and availability.
Bamboo needs to be chemically treated due to their low natural durability. It can be
used as Bamboo Trusses, Bamboo Roofs Skeleton, Bamboo walling/ceiling, Bamboo
Doors and Windows, Bamboo Flooring, Reed Boards, Scaffolding.
Steel Bars as a Construction Material
Concrete is a material that is very strong in compression, but relatively weak
in tension. To compensate for this imbalance in concrete's behavior, rebar is cast into
it to carry the tensile loads. Most steel reinforcement is divided into primary and
secondary reinforcement.

Methodology
In general, techniques used in conventional reinforced concrete construction
need not be changed when bamboo is to be used for reinforcement.
A. Concrete Mix Proportions The same mix designs can be used as would
normally be used with steel reinforced concrete. Concrete slump should be as
low as workability will allow. Excess water causes swelling of the bamboo.
High early-strength cement is preferred to minimize cracks caused by swelling
of bamboo when seasoned bamboo cannot be waterproofed
B. Placement of bamboo
Bamboo reinforcement should not be placed less than 1 inches from the face
of the concrete surface. When using whole culms, the top and bottom of the
stems should be alternated in every row and the nodes or collars, should be
staggered. This will ensure a fairly uniform cross section of the bamboo
throughout the length of the member, and the wedging effect obtained at the
nodes will materially increase the bond between concrete and bamboo. The
clear spacing between bamboo rods or splints should not be less than the
maximum size aggregate plus inch. Reinforcement should be evenly spaced

and lashed together on short sticks placed at right angles to the main
reinforcement. When more than one layer is required, the layers should also be
tied together. Ties should preferably be made with wire in important members.
For secondary members, ties can be made with vegetation strips. Bamboo
must be securely tied down before placing the concrete. It should be fixed at
regular intervals of 3 to 4 feet to prevent it from floating up in the concrete
during placement and vibration. In flexural members continuous, one-half to
two-thirds of the bottom longitudinal reinforcement should be bent up near the
supports. This is especially recommended in members continuous over several
supports. Additional diagonal tension reinforcement in the form of stirrups
must be used near the supports. The vertical stirrups can be made from wire or
packing case straps when available; they can also be improvised from split
sections of bamboo bent into U-shape, and tied securely to both bottom
longitudinal reinforcement and bent-up reinforcement. Spacing of the stirrups
should not exceed 6 inches.
C. Anchorage and Splicing of Reinforcements
Dowels in the footings for column and wall reinforcement hould be
embedded in the concrete to such a depth that the ond between bamboo and
concrete will resist the allowable ensile force in the dowel. This embedded
depth is pproximately 10 times the diameter of whole culms or 25 imes the
thickness of inch wide splints. In many cases the footings will not be this
deep; therefore, the dowels will have to be bent into an L-shape. These dowels
should be either hooked around the footing reinforcement or tied securely to
the reinforcement to insure complete anchorage.

The dowels should extend above the footings and be cut so that not more than
30 percent of the splices will occur at the same height. All such splices should
be overlapped at least 25 inches and be well tied. Splicing reinforcement in
any member should be overlapped at least 25 inches. Splices should never
occur in highly stressed areas and in no case should more than 30 percent of
the reinforcement be spliced in any one location.
D. Beams
Bamboo longitudinal reinforcement should be between 3 and 4 percent
of the concrete cross section. Tables can be used to convert existing designs
for steel reinforced beams to equivalent bamboo reinforced designs. The curve
provides the cross-sectional dimensions of a bamboo reinforced beam that will
have the same bending moment resistance coefficient as a balanced steel
reinforced beam, singly reinforced. Economy of concrete increases going to
the left on the curve; therefore, deeper, narrower replacement beams are
recommended. The number and size of bamboo reinforcing rods (culms or
splints) can be selected. The number and size of bamboo reinforcing rods
These curves are drawn for 3 percent of the concrete cross section as bamboo
reinforcement which is in the optimum range for flexural members. Other
reinforcement percentages can be used as noted on the figure. A minimum
number of rods should be used to provide adequate spacing. The bamboo
stirrup area should always be about 4 times the steel stirrup area.
E. Columns
Bamboo reinforcement in columns serves to resist a compression load
equal to that taken by the concrete it displaces; it also will resist shear and

tensile stresses. Of the full cross section of concrete, only 80 percent is

considered effective in rectangular tied, columns. Allowable concrete stress
should not exceed 0.225 f'c where f'c is the ultimate compressive strength of
the concrete. Vertical reinforcement should be approximately 4 percent of the
column cross section for rectangular columns. When bamboo is used as lateral
tie reinforcement, the ties should be spaced not over 16 times the least
dimension of the vertical reinforcement nor farther apart than the least
dimension of the column. Enough ties should be provided so that every
vertical bar is held firmly in its designed position and has lateral support
equivalent to that provided by a 90-degree corner of a tie. A common rule for
determining the size of a tie is that its cross-sectional area is 2% of the area of
all the vertical reinforcement confined by it The concrete cross-sectional area
of bamboo reinforced rectangular columns conservatively should be 2.25
times the concrete area of steel reinforced rectangular columns indicating a
50-percent increase in face dimensions.

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