International Journal of Civil & Environmental Engineering IJCEE-IJENS Vol: 11 No: 05 47

Determination of Tensile Property of Bamboo

for Using as Potential Reinforcement in the
Concrete
Md Ahsan Sabbir1, S.M. Ashfaqul Hoq2, and Saiada Fuadi Fancy3
Abstract— This research was undertaken to investigate the
possibility of using bamboo as a potential reinforcement in the
concrete beam to compensate the low tensile property of the
concrete. Even though steel reinforcement is a very suitable
material for complementing concrete’s low tensile strength,
considering the cost, some parts of the world people build their
houses by using only concrete or mud-brick which is very
vulnerable. To overcome these problems, bamboo may be the
alternative materials to substitute the reinforcing bar in concrete
for less important structures by investigating the physical
properties of this type of natural reinforcement. To evaluate these
properties, tension test was conducted on bamboo specimen. First
three samples of finished bamboo were tested in natural condition
(without treatment). Then five samples of finished bamboo were
tested with GI wire spiral at the ends for improved gripping.
From this test, the tensile strength, proof strength and modulus of
elasticity were determined from stress-strain curve for bamboo
reinforcement and satisfactory results are obtained in terms of
tensile strength and stress-strain characteristics of bamboo for
using as reinforcement in the concrete.
Index Term— Bamboo, Stress, Strain, Tension test, Tension
test grip.
in connection with this. The mechanical properties vary with
height and age of the bamboo culm. Research findings indicate
that the strength of bamboo increases with age. The optimum
strength value occurs between 2.5 and 4 years. The strength
decreases at a later age [1]. 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 [2]. Lo et al. (2004) gave a detailed description
of the mechanical properties of bamboo in their study. They
found that the physical, as well as mechanical attributes vary
with respect to diameter, length, age, type, position along
culms, and moisture content of bamboo [3]. Amada and
Untao (2001) studied the fracture properties of
bamboo. In contradiction to other studies, this study states
that the tensile strength of bamboo fibers almost corresponds
to that of steel [4]. Ghavami (1995) discussed the
mechanical properties of bamboo, specifically pertaining to
bamboo in concrete. This study showed that the ultimate
strength of a concrete beam reinforced with bamboo is
approximately 4 times when compared with un-reinforced
concrete [5].

1. INTRODUCTION 3. SAMPLE PREPARATION

One of the properties that would make bamboo a good First a bamboo was divided into two pieces length wise with
substitute to steel in reinforced concrete is its strength. The the carpenter’s tools like hammer, chisel etc. Each of the two
strength of bamboo is greater than many timber products halves was further divided into three pieces. It was then
which are advantageous, but it is quite less than the tensile rounded to shape of a rod as shown in the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3
strength of steel. Bamboo is easily accessible as it is available and Fig. 4.
in almost every tropical and subtropical regions, this lowers
the cost of construction and increases the strength of the
buildings that would otherwise be unreinforced. Tension test is
the most basic type of mechanical test. It is easy to perform
and relatively inexpensive compared to other tests. The stress-
strain characteristics of bamboo have been derived from the
results of this tension test.

2. OBJECTIVES OF THE RESEARCH

Whereas the mechanical properties and behavior of steel Fig. 1. Bamboo splitting into two Fig. 2. Half bamboos splitting into
reinforcement have been thoroughly studied and well pieces three pieces.
documented, there exists no comprehensive data describing
bamboo reinforcement. Therefore, the aim of this study is to
provide a preliminary contribution toward the collection of the
mechanical properties and behaviors of bamboo
reinforcement. Some of the previous researches are mentioned

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 International Journal of Civil & Environmental Engineering IJCEE-IJENS Vol: 11 No: 05 48

finished bamboo and bamboo twig specimen was placed in

such a way that strain measurement and the corresponding load
can be taken.

Fig. 3. Preparation of sample
bamboo by using fem
7. RESULTS OF TENSION
The tensile tests were conducted for several samples of both
bamboo and bamboo twig specimens. Their failure pattern,
ultimate and yield strength will be discussed in the following
section. Tension tests were performed for specimens with
different conditions of gripping.
Fig. 4. Prepared bamboo sample as
reinforcement

4. GRIPPING OF BAMBOO REINFORCEMENT

Proper gripping is an important factor for tensile test.
Bamboo is relatively soft materials than the materials used for
gripping purpose in UTM. At the time of tension tests, early
failure was observed at the gripping end as shown in the Fig. 5,
possibly due to high stress developed from lateral
compression. Moreover, the surface of the bamboo specimen
is very slippery and therefore the samples in some case
experienced slip at the time of tension test. To solve these
gripping problem GI wires (2mm diameter) were wringed
spirally at both ends of the specimen. The application of GI
spiral around the ends of bamboo specimen has been shown in
Fig. 6.
Fig. 7. Finished bamboo under tension test

7.1 RESULTS OF TENSION TESTS FOR BAMBOO

SPECIMENS (NORMAL BAMBOO SURFACE AT GRIP
AREA)

According to the test, the splitting end grip failure was

observed for sample-1 as shown in the Fig. 8. The splitting
failure initiated at the gripping area and finally smashed.
Therefore, it can be opined that if failure at grip could have
been avoided, the specimen would take more load. The sample
Fig. 5. Failure of the sample at grip Fig. 6. Bamboo specimen with GI
during tension test spiral experienced failure at knot as shown in the Fig. 9 and no
failure was observed at the grip and hence the specimen
5. PREPARATION OF SPECIMENS carried higher load. The third sample experienced failure
similar to sample-1 as shown in the Fig. 10. The failure loads
3 samples of finished bamboo without GI spiral and 5
of these samples are shown in Table I.
samples of finished bamboo with GI spiral were taken for
tensile test each having the following criteria-
i. Each specimen contained at least 3 knots.
ii. Any form of imperfection (fracture, void, decay, etc) was
avoided.
iii. Any undulation was trimmed off.
iv. Diameter was measured at four different locations and
then the average diameter was calculated.

6. TEST SETUP
For tension test, Universal testing Machine was used. The
specimen (finished bamboo) under tension test has been shown
Fig. 8. Splitting and grip failure (sample-1)
in Fig. 7.To derives the stress-strain characteristics, the

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 International Journal of Civil & Environmental Engineering IJCEE-IJENS Vol: 11 No: 05 49

specimen was typical splitting without any slip at the grip

location as shown in the Fig. 11. The split is parallel to the
grain and propagates through the knot and finally failure
occurs more than one location. The failure patterns of other
four samples are similar to sample no-1 as shown in the Fig.
12 to Fig. 15. The failure loads of these samples are shown in
Table II. From these results it can be said that the tensile
strength is nearly uniform and failure pattern is very similar for
bamboo specimens where failure at grip was avoided. The
tensile strength of bamboo specimens with prepared ends (to
avoid grip failure) is always higher than the corresponding
bamboo specimens without prepared ends (failure at grip).

Fig. 9. Failure at knot(sample-2)

Fig. 11. Typical splitting failure of bamboo reinforcement (sample-1)

Fig. 10. Splitting and grip failure (sample-3)

Table I
Results of tension test for bamboo reinforcement

Specimen Avg. Failure Stress at Failure type

No. Area Load Failure
2
(mm ) (kN) (MPa)
Fig. 12. Typical splitting failure of bamboo reinforcement (sample-2)
1 200 17.6 88 Splitting and
failure at
grip
2 181 19.4 107.2 Failure at
node
3 155 24.2 156.1 Splitting and
failure at
grip

Fig. 13. Typical splitting failure of bamboo reinforcement (sample-3)

7.2 RESULTS OF TENSION TESTS FOR BAMBOO
SPECIMENS (BAMBOO SURFACE WITH GI WIRE AT
GRIP AREA)
During tension tests of bamboo reinforcement, an attempt was
made to avoid failure at the grip by wrapping the ends by GI
wire. According to the test, the failure pattern of bamboo

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 International Journal of Civil & Environmental Engineering IJCEE-IJENS Vol: 11 No: 05 50

Fig. 14. Typical splitting failure of bamboo reinforcement (sample-4)

Fig. 16. Stress- strain curve of bamboo samples

Y
109.0

Fig. 15. Typical splitting failure of bamboo reinforcement (sample-5) 36.0

Table II
C
Results of tension test of bamboo reinforcement without grip failure
0.70 2.9
Specimen Avg. Failure Stress at Failure type
No. Area Load Failure
2
Fig. 17. Stress- strain curve of bamboo samples
(mm ) (kN) (MPa)
Table III
1 232 31.3 135 Splitting Stress-strain data for bamboo (sample-1)
Load Area Stress Displacement Strain( X 10-
2 265 37 139.6 Splitting (kN) (mm2) (Mpa) (mm) 3
)
3 297 33.4 112.5 Splitting (mm/mm)
0 234 0.0 0 0.00
4 219 26 118.7 Splitting 0.88 234 3.8 0.15 0.56
5 239 30.4 127.2 Splitting 1.32 234 5.6 0.18 0.67
1.76 234 7.5 0.21 0.78
7.3 STRESS STRAIN RELATION 2.64 234 11.3 0.23 0.85
Stress-strain data are shown for sample-1 and sample-2 in the 3.52 234 15.0 0.25 0.93
Table III and Table IV. The gage length was taken between 5.28 234 22.5 0.3 1.11
203 mm and 254 mm for all the samples. The stress-strain 7.48 234 31.9 0.31 1.15
curve for sample-1 and sample-2 is shown in Fig. 16. From 7.92 234 33.8 0.33 1.22
this curve, the yield strength has been calculated by offset 9.68 234 41.3 0.335 1.24
method. The offset is the horizontal distance between the 11 234 47.0 0.34 1.26
initial tangent line and any line running parallel to it. The value 13.2 234 56.3 0.48 1.78
of the offset for a given material is usually expressed this way: 15.4 234 65.7 0.61 2.26
Yield Strength, 0.1% Offset. “0.1% Offset” means 0.1% of 17.6 234 75.1 0.77 2.85
the fundamental extension units of inches per inch, or 19.8 234 84.5 1.01 3.74
0.001in./in. along the X-axis. Now using that as the origin, a 22 234 93.9 1.14 4.22
line (C-D) parallel to the initial tangent line was drawn. It is 24.2 234 103.3 1.25 4.63
noted that the line C-D intersects the stress- strain curve at a 26.4 234 112.7 1.38 5.11
certain point Y shown in the Fig. 17. The ordinate of this point 28.6 234 122.1 1.54 5.70
(the amount of stress in psi) is the yield strength at 0.1%
Offset.

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Table IV much lower than the steel reinforcement. Therefore, the

Stress-strain data for bamboo (sample-2)
deflection will be higher considering the steel reinforcement.
Load Area Stress Displacement Strain( X 10-
A comprehensive study could be made by involving both
(kN) (mm2) (MPa) (mm) 3
)
experimental and finite element study to understand the
(mm/mm)
behavior of bamboo more accurately. For further research of
0 197 0.0 0.00 0.00
natural reinforcement, the tensile property of bamboo twig and
0.88 197 4.5 0.03 0.12
cane can be investigated.
1.76 197 8.9 0.04 0.14
2.64 197 13.4 0.06 0.25
REFERENCES
3.52 197 17.8 0.08 0.33 [1] Amada, S. and Untao, S., “Fracture Properties of Bamboo”, Composites
4.4 197 22.3 0.09 0.37 Part B. Vol. 32, 2001, pp. 451-459.
5.28 197 26.8 0.14 0.57 [2] Amada, S., Lchikawa, Y., Munekata, T., Nagase, Y. and Shimizu, H.,
6.16 197 31.2 0.16 0.65 “Fiber Texture and Mechanical Graded Structure of Bamboo”,
Composites Part B, Vol.288,1997, pp 13-20.
7.04 197 35.7 0.17 0.69 [3] Lo, Cuo, Leung , “The Effect of Fiber Density on Strength Capacity of
7.92 197 40.2 0.21 0.86 Bamboo”, Materials Letter, vol. 58,2004, pp. 2595-2598.
8.8 197 44.6 0.22 0.90 [4] Amada, S. and Untao, S. (2001), “Fracture Properties of Bamboo”,
Composites Part B. Vol. 32, pp 451-459.
10.56 197 53.5 0.27 1.10 [5] Ghavami, K. (1995), “Ultimate Load Behavior of Bamboo-Reinforced
12.32 197 62.5 0.30 1.22 Lightweight Concrete Beams”, Cement & Concrete Composites, Vol.
14.08 197 71.4 0.40 1.63 17, pp 281-288.
15.84 197 80.3 0.41 1.653
16.72 197 84.8 0.42 1.714
17.6 197 89.2 0.5 2.041
18.48 197 93.7 0.57 2.327
19.36 197 98.2 0.62 2.531
20.24 197 102.6 0.67 2.735
21.12 197 107.1 0.71 2.898
22 197 111.6 0.77 3.143
24.2 197 122.7 1.1 4.49
26.4 197 133.9 1.4 5.714
29.832 197 151.3 1.6 6.531

Therefore, from this method, the yield strength fy = 109 MPa.

To be on the conservative side the value of fy = 105.7. The
modulus of elasticity was found to be 51428.6 MPa.

8. CONCLUSION
Based on the experimental studies presented in this paper, the
following conclusions can be drawn:
(i) If tension tests are conducted without specimen end
preparation, actual results may not be found due to smashing at
the grip location especially for bamboo twig specimen but if
the grip is prepared by using GI wire then no smashing and
slippage occurs at that location. Without end preparation, the
strength is considerably low because of premature failure at
the grip.
(ii) In general, sample failure was accompanied by tension
failure for bamboo specimens.
(iii) In case of specimens with ends wounded by G.I wire,
the tensile strength failure was observed is nearly uniform and
their failure pattern is also similar as splitting parallel to the
grain. The average tensile strength with prepared ends
(wounded with G.I wire) has been found to be higher than the
specimens without prepared ends. This reduced strength is due
to the premature failure at the grip.
(iv) Bamboo specimen shows some nonlinearity before its
failure.
(v) The modulus of elasticity, E of bamboo is found to be

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