TOPIC:

Characterization of the local bamboo in Zimbabwe and utilize it as

reinforcement in concrete for low cost construction.

Introduction
The development of science & technology is a continuing quest for improvement in
infrastructure of world around us and, it is a fact that the construction industry is the main
consumer of energy and materials in most countries. The pursuit of sustainable development,
defined in the ZIMASSET, to try to meet the challenges in providing proper housing for the
ever-increasing population. Concrete is a widely used construction material for its various
advantages such as low cost, availability and fire resistance, but it cannot be used alone because
of its low tensile strength. Usually steel is used cause of its high tensile strength but should be
limited since it is costly. Therefore in this research an assessment of using treated bamboo as
reinforcing material for low cost construction will be done.
In this project there will be changes in characteristics of a local bamboo and testing it as a
reinforcing material. This is to be archived by treating the bamboo before use and followed by
tests using both untreated and treated bamboo. Comparing results of non-reinforced, reinforced
(treated) and reinforced (not treated) concrete beams under load will determine the practicability
of Zimbabwe grown bamboo as reinforcement.

Background
Researches around the globe have been done to make Bamboo a reinforcing material, in every
case archiving the goal but the problem rising from the durability. Bamboo like timber it is
vulnerable to the environmental degradation and attacks by fungi and insects. The table below
shows the results of wood, bamboo and steel specimen tests (Engineering Department, Indian
Institute of technology)

(Ghavami K, 1995) stated that the tensile strength of bamboo is relatively high and can reach
370MPa. This makes bamboo an attractive alternative to steel in tensile loading applications.
This is due to the fact that the ratio of tensile strength to specic-weight of bamboo is six times
greater than that of steel.
The research will be to characterize the local bamboo in Zimbabwe so that it can be used as a
reinforcement material. This is to be archived by altering the physical and mechanical properties
of the bamboo. (Ghavami K, 1995) explained the effects of untreated bamboo as reinforcement
due to its water absorption and less bonding stress. The figure (b) below shows the effects;

Fig b; Behavior of untreated segment bamboo as reinforcement in concrete: (a) bamboo in fresh
concrete, (b) bamboo during curing of concrete and (c) bamboo after cured concrete.

Bamboo has advantages over timber some which include the rate of growth to reach maturity.
Physical-mechanical properties (strength, density) of bamboo which grows to maturity four to
five years compares favorably with that of wood which requires 30 to 40 years to attain. Also the
high strength to weight ratio makes it a better construction material to wood.

Aim

To characterize the local bamboo in Zimbabwe and utilize it as reinforcement in concrete

for low cost construction.

Objectives

To determine the practicability of local bamboo as reinforcement

To analyze the use of bamboo as a reinforcing material

With no shear reinforcement (singly and doubly reinforced)

With bamboo shear reinforcement (bamboo stirrups)

With steel shear reinforcement (steel stirrups)

To determine a better way to treat bamboo before use

To test the bamboo mechanical strength (tensile strength)

Comparison of using bamboo as an alternative to wood/timber in rural areas (wood and

mud walls)

Determination of methods to increase bonding strength between bamboo other materials

(mud and concrete)

Methodology
In order to study the performance evaluation of bamboo as reinforcement in concrete the
following treatment and tests are to be executed;
Treatment of bamboo
Tensile test on bamboo strips
Flexural strength test of bamboo Reinforced Concrete Beams ( treated bamboo)
Treatment for adhesion and water absorption (done as part of treatment of bamboo to
increase bonding and waterproofing properties)
Bonding strength test
Results
Results of this research will be based on the experimental study, thus the tests to be conducted.

References
1. Ghavami K, Hombeeck RV. Application of bamboo as a construction material: Part I
Mechanical properties. Part IIBamboo reinforced concrete beams. In: Proc of Latin
American Symp on Rational Organization of Building Applied to Low Cost Housing,
CIB, Sa o Paulo, Brazil, 1981. p. 4966.
2. Ghavami K. Ultimate load behavior of bamboo reinforced lightweight concrete beams. J
Cement Concrete Compos 1995.
3. Element Dr. Patel Pratima A., Maiwala Adit R. ,Gajera Vivek J., Patel Jaymin A.
,Magdallawala Sunny H. . Performance Evaluation Of Bamboo As Reinforcement In
Design Of Construction
4. (Engineering Department, Indian Institute of technology)