Performance of wulung bamboo reinforced concrete beams

Agus Setiya Budi, and A. P. Rahmadi

Citation: AIP Conference Proceedings 1903, 020010 (2017); doi: 10.1063/1.5011490

View online: https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5011490
View Table of Contents: http://aip.scitation.org/toc/apc/1903/1
Published by the American Institute of Physics

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 Performance of Wulung Bamboo Reinforced Concrete
Beams
Agus Setiya Budi1,a), AP. Rahmadi2,b)
1,2
Sebelas Maret University, Surakarta, Indonesia
a)
Corresponding author: asb0909@yahoo.co.id
b)
agus_rahmadi04@yahoo.com

Abstract. The aim of this paper is to study the flexural strength of concrete beam with Wulung Bamboo that has been in
the notch as reinforcement. The notch is expected to increase the bonding effect and minimize the slip effects. This study
used experimental laboratory method. Bamboo strip are processed and shaped with the notches of the v shape with the
distance between the notches are 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70 mm. The specimen size used in the form of a concrete beam is
110x150x1700 mm. Static loading is done with third point loading system (ASTM C78). The experimental results showed
the performance of bamboo strips notch reinforced concrete beams increased compared to bamboo reinforcement without
notch and the maximum load will increase as the number of notches increases.

INTRODUCTION
Concrete is often reinforced with steel bars to negate its weak tension carrying capacity. However, due to higher
cost and non-renewability of steel, nowadays attempts are made to provide a low-cost sustainable alternative by using
locally available material. The feasibility for usage of bamboo as reinforcement in concrete is evaluated through a
series of experimental investigations in the present study [1].
Species of Wulung bamboo (Gigantochloa Atroviolacea) are often found in Indonesia. Bamboo is one of the
potential material as a substitute for steel reinforcement because on the skin of bamboo has a high tensile strength.
According to [1], 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 non-polluting 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. And according to [3], the bamboo is one of the suitable
replacements of reinforcing bar in concrete for low cost constructions. Bamboo is natural, cheap, widely available and
most importantly strong in both tension and compression. An investigation by [4] revealed that bamboo could be used
as a substitute for steel reinforcement. This suggests that bamboo can be used to replace mild steel for low cost
structural construction.
Bamboo has a weakness for construction purposes, one of them is slip effects on reinforced concrete beams. This
paper will report the performance of Wulung bamboo reinforced concrete beams.

ENGINEERING PROPERTIES

Material of Bamboo
The energy necessary to produce 1 m3 per unit stress projected in practice for materials commonly used in civil
construction, such as steel or concrete, has been compared with that of bamboo. It was found that for steel it is
necessary to spend 50 times more energy than for bamboo. The tensile strength of bamboo is relatively high and can

Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Construction and Building Engineering (ICONBUILD) 2017
AIP Conf. Proc. 1903, 020010-1–020010-9; https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5011490
Published by AIP Publishing. 978-0-7354-1591-1/$30.00

020010-1
reach 370 MPa. 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 specific weight of bamboo is six times greater than that of steel [5]
Drying bamboo is fundamental to its conservation for various reasons. Bamboo with low humidity is less prone to
mold attacks especially when humidity content is less than 15%. Physical and mechanical properties of bamboo
increase with a decrease in its humidity content. Bamboo to be treated with a preservative needs to be dry to facilitate
penetration and obtain a better result and reducing transport costs. Bamboo can be dried in air, green house, and oven
or by fire. [2]
Among possible alternative materials, bamboo is an organic alternative which grows in the tropical zones, an area
that coin-cides closely with the developing countries where the highest rates of urbanization and population growth
can be found. Bamboo is gaining attention as an alternative for steel since most developing countries could benefit
economically by its use in construction. It could strengthen local value chains, bring jobs and trade as well as lower
dependency on international markets through meeting construction demands locally. From technical perspective,
bamboo is a fast growing grass, which can grow up to one meter a day and can reach its maximum strength in 3 years.
Some species of bamboo have shown tensile capacities of more than 400 MPa and single bamboo fibers can reach a
tensile strength as high as 1000 MPa [6].
As reinforcement in concrete structures, bamboo’s durability was questioned by some researchers. Doubts about
bamboo durability were based on studies concerning the durability of natural fibers working as Portland cement-based
composites reinforcement. Conversely, Cordero and Lopez concluded that bamboo degradation is only observed in a
construction when the correct procedures were not applied, and they added that this material was widely used as
reinforcement in load bearing walls in Brazil, with durability lasting more than 100 years. [7]
The selection of bamboo material properties in this study is in accordance with [8], the bamboos with the following
characteristics were selected: 1). Only bamboos showed a pronounced brown color were used to ensure that the plant
is matured and at least three years old; 2). Selection of the longest large diameter culms available was made while as
far as possible, long straight bamboos without any deformations and cracks were selected. Bamboos used are free of
any decay, fungus growth or holes due to white ants; 3). The bamboos were not cut under wet condition because the
culms are generally weaker due to increased fiber moisture content.
In this research using Wulung bamboo species (Gigantochloa Atroviolacea), with bamboo above the age of 3 years.
Characteristic of this bamboo has a diameter of 15-20 cm, thickness of bamboo stem about 1-2 cm and height of
bamboo stem 10-15 m. Part of culms used is part of a bamboo rod 5 m, which cut 1.5 meters from the base of a tree.
The average value of the water content bamboo is 7.41% and the average density is 0.994 gr/cm3. The average tensile
strength parallel to the fiber (with nodia of bamboo) is 395.45 MPa, and the average yield strength is 217.98 MPa.

The Shape of Bamboo Strip Notch

An investigation by [9], due to remarkable difference between steel shear strength and longitudinal shear strength
of bamboo (7.45 MPa for dry and 4.12 MPa for wet bamboo), all of assumptions and calculations are different. In a
steel deformed bar, the root connection of the dent (b) regarding to distance between dents (c) is small, see Fig.1.
c

(1) b

c
b
(2)

FIGURE 1. (1) Typical shape of a steel deformed bar (2) Bamboo corrugated strip
It can be justified because of remarkable difference between steel and concrete shear strength. As the bamboo
longitudinal shear strength and concrete shear strength are close together then the length of dent ሺ„ሻwould be closer
to distance between dents ሺ…ሻǤBecause of proper bamboo workability, it can be easily filed and corrugated in field.
By using this method for improving the bond, the necessity of using other chemical coating for increasing the bond
will be lessened.

020010-2
 The selected bamboos were air dried for over 15 days, sawn into strips size of 5x20x1650 mm, and then notched
at any distance of 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70 mm. The effective size of cross-sectional area bamboo strip is 5x10 mm.
Fig. 2 was presented the notch shape of bamboo reinforcement bar types studied [10].

FIGURE 2. The shape and dimension of bamboo strip notch

Specimen Preparation
Using corrugated bamboo strips can be practicable for temporary structures with using it in the mortar or concrete
without any special coating and extra costs. Corrugation can reduce the wedging effect because of changing the stress
transition mechanism between bamboo and concrete [9].

FIGURE 3. The shape of bamboo strip notch

This experiment involved a steel round bars Ø8 mm as reinforcement. Based on the results of the tensile test, yield
strength average of steel round bars as reinforcement is 486.49 MPa and a maximum average tensile strength is 638.1
MPa.
The cement use in this experiment of Portland Pozzolan Cement (PPC) which conform with Standard National
Indonesia (SNI 15-0302-94). The compressive strength of concrete obtained tested of three specimens of a concrete
cylinder with a diameter of 150 mm and a height of 300 mm. Concrete compressive strength tested at 28 days of age.
Based on the test, the average compressive strength concrete is 18.29 MPa and the slump value is 11.5 cm [10].
The position of bamboo strips notch as reinforcement placement on the beam is shown in Fig.4 below:

FIGURE 4. Cross section of specimen beams and the position of bamboo strip notch as reinforcement

020010-3
 Testing Procedure
Flexural strength testing was done on the concrete beam specimen on the dimension size of 110x150x1700 mm.
The distance of beams support is 1500 mm. The number of beam test specimens consists of 7 group, which consists
of 6 groups of bamboo strip notch as reinforcement and 1 group of round steel as reinforcement. Each group consists
of 3 pieces of the specimen so that the total number of specimens is 21 pieces. Static loading on specimen is done with
third point loading (ASTM C78). The setting up of loading test experiment arrangement is shown in Fig.5. [10]

FIGURE 5. Loading settings

Flexural Moment Experimental

The flexural moment of experiment results was calculated using the simplified statics concept, where the simple
beam loaded with a distributed span load (q) and concentrated load (½P) on the L/3 span length support of the beam.
The detail loading on the beam experiment arrangement is shown in Fig.6. [10]

FIGURE 6. Loading distribution

P/2 P/2
q

C D E F
A B

1/15 L 1/3 L 1/3 L 1/3 L 1/15 L

(+)

Mmax

FIGURE 7. Maximum moment diagram

020010-4
 Flexural moment of experiment was calculated using the following formula:

ͳ͹ ͳ
 ˜ ൌ “൅  (1)
͵Ͳ ʹ

ଵ ଵ଻ ଵ଻ ଵ ଵ
୫ୟ୶ ൌ ቀ ୅୴ Ǥ ቁ െ ቀ“Ǥ Ǥ ቁ െ ሺ Ǥ ሻ
ଶ ଷ଴ ଺଴ ଶ ଺

ଵ ଶଶଵ
୫ୟ୶ ൌ  ൅ “ଶ (2)
଺ ଵ଼଴଴

Ultimate Moment
The analytical ultimate moment was calculated for each of the beam specimens using the simplified stress block
at the ultimate limit for the analysis of reinforced concrete section subjected to pure flexural force. The stress block
of concrete beams section under flexural forces is shown in Fig.8.

Cc

Neutra l
h Li ne
d

T = Ab fy T = Ab f y

FIGURE 8. Diagram of stress block section under flexural

From the simplified stress block, the ultimate moment can be determined by taking moment at the centre of tensile
bamboo reinforcement. The analytical ultimate moment calculated by the following:

Tensile force (T) = Compressive force (Cc) (3)

Therefore:
୅౩ ୊౯
ƒൌ  (4)
଴Ǥ଼ହ௙೎ᇲ ୠ
ୟ
୳ ൌ ሺୱ ˆ୷ ሻሺ† െ ሻ (5)
ଶ

RESULT AND DISCUSSIONS

Based on the test results of the beam under flexure loading with a third point loading system, all beams using
bamboo strip notch have shown failure due to bending, which is the same as a failure with steel as a reinforcement.
The type of failures were identified early with many tiny vertical cracks at the center of the span and at the point
of loading. All failures show the collapse due to bending.

020010-5
 FIGURE 9. Typology of cracks on beams due to loading

The characteristics diagram of load vs. deflection on concrete beam specimens reinforced with a steel and bamboo
strip notch as reinforcement at any distance of 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70 mm, the tension zone are respectively shown
in Fig.9-12.

Load & Deflection

2200

2000

1800

1600

1400
Load (kg)

1200

1000 St-8

800 NR

600

400

200

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
Deflection (mm)

FIGURE 10. Load vs. deflection characteristics diagram of steel reinforcement and no reinforcement

Load & Deflection

2200

2000

1800

1600

1400
Load (kg)

1200
St-8
1000
W-0
800
NR
600

400

200

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
Deflection (mm)

FIGURE 11. Load vs. deflection characteristics diagram of steel, bamboo strip no notch and no reinforcement

020010-6
 Load & Deflection
2200

2000

1800

1600
W-20mm
1400
W-30mm
Load (kg)

1200
W-40mm
1000
W-50mm
800
W-60mm
600 W-70mm
400 W-0
200

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
Deflection (mm)

FIGURE 12. Load vs. deflection characteristics diagram of bamboo strip notch and bamboo strip no notch

Load & Deflection

2200

2000

1800

1600 W-20mm
1400 W-30mm
Load (kg)

1200 W-40mm

1000 W-50mm

800 W-60mm
W-70mm
600
W-0
400
St-8
200

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
Deflection (mm)

FIGURE 13. Load vs. deflection characteristics diagram of steel, bamboo strip notch and bamboo strip no notch

Note:
W-20mm, etc. = concrete beam containing bamboo strip notch at distance 20 mm as reinforcement, etc
W-0 = concrete beam containing bamboo strip no notch
St- Ø8mm = concrete beam containing steel round bar Ø8 mm as reinforcement
NR = concrete beam without reinforcement

020010-7
 According to the Eq. 2, the value of average flexural moment experiment concrete beam specimens for bamboo
strip notch at distance 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70 mm respectively are 0.436, 0.441, 0.374, 0.368, 0.363, 0.358 tm and
for bamboo strip no notch is 0.236 tm. The average flexural moment experiment for steel round bars Ø8mm is 0.516
tm and the average value of flexural moment experiment without reinforcement is 0.11 tm.
The flexural moment experiment of resistance diagram specimens at 28 days of the age are shown in Fig.14.

Flexural Moment Experiment

0.6

0.516

0.441
0.436
0.5

0.374

0.368

0.363

0.358
0.4
Moment (ton.m)

0.236
0.3

0.2

0.1

0
Steel-8 W-20mm W-30mm W-40mm W-50mm W-60mm W-70mm W-0

Flexural Moment Experiment

FIGURE 14. Diagram of flexural moment experiment

Based on Fig. 14, it shows that the performance of bamboo strips reinforced concrete beams with spacing of notch
between 20 mm and 30 mm, increased by approximately 185% compared to bamboo reinforcement without notch.
Similarly, for the performance of bamboo strips reinforced concrete beam with spacing of notch between 40, 50, 60
and 70 mm, increased by 150% compared to bamboo reinforcement without notch.
According to the Eq.5, the analytical ultimate moment was calculated for each of the beam specimens. The
analytical ultimate moments for steel bar as reinforcement is 0.506 tm and for bamboo strip notch is 0.253 tm. See
Fig.15. In addition, the flexural moment of experiment results is greater than the analytical ultimate moment results,
except on bamboo strips no notch. It can be seen that the value of flexural moment experiment tends to increase with
the short distance between the notches of the bamboo strip.

Flexural Moment Experiment & Analytical Ultimate Moment

0.6
0.516
0.506

0.441
0.436

0.5
0.374

0.368

0.363

0.358

0.4
Moment (ton.m)

0.253

0.253

0.253

0.253
0.253

0.253

0.253
0.236

0.3

0.2

0.1

0
Steel-8 W-20mm W-30mm W-40mm W-50mm W-60mm W-70mm W-0

Flexural Moment Experiment Analytical Ultimate Moment

FIGURE 15. Diagram of flexural moment experiment vs. analytical ultimate moment

020010-8
 CONCLUSIONS
Based on the experimental study, the following conclusions can be drawn:
x The performance of bamboo strip notch reinforced concrete beams increased compared to bamboo
reinforcement without notch.
x The maximum load will increase as the number of notches increases.
x The use of notch on bamboo as reinforcement in the tensile zone will increase the performance of the beam
structure due to the flexure load.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The author would like to thank the LPPM UNS and DIKTI for the financial support that has been given to this
experimental study.

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