BAMBOO AS A STRUCTURAL MEMBER - A REVIEW

International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056

Volume: 12 Issue: 08 | Aug 2025 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072

BAMBOO AS A STRUCTURAL MEMBER - A REVIEW

Pavan1 , Sneha S D2 , Dr. S. Kavitha3

1PG Student (M. Tech), Department of Civil Engineering, Dr. Ambedkar Institute of Technology, Karnataka, India

2Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Dr. Ambedkar Institute of Technology, Karnataka, India

3Professor and HOD, Department of Civil Engineering, Dr. Ambedkar Institute of Technology, Karnataka, India

Abstract - The increasing demand for sustainable construction materials has highlighted bamboo as an ecofriendlyalternativetoconventionalresourcessuchassteeland concrete. This review examines the physical and mechanical properties of bamboo, treatment methods to enhance durability, and manufacturing processes for laminated bamboo. Standardized tests for compressive, tensile, and bending strengths were conducted in accordance with IS 6874:2008andIS8242,enablingcomparisonbetweennatural and laminated bamboo. Results indicate that laminated bamboo exhibits superior modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity, compressive strength, and tensile strength due to defect elimination, improved bonding, and uniform stress distribution. The lamination process, combined with appropriateadhesives,alsoenhancesmoistureresistanceand dimensional stability, making laminated bamboo highly suitable for beams, columns, and panels. The studyconcludes that engineered bamboo products can effectively serve as sustainable, high-strength structural materials, supporting both environmental conservation and efficient construction practices.

Key Words: Laminatedbamboo,Mechanicalproperties, Sustainableconstruction,Structuralapplications,Adhesive bonding.

1 INTRODUCTION

The growing urgency to address climate change has intensifiedeffortstofindsustainableconstructionmaterials that reducecarbonemissions. Theconstructionsector isa majorcontributortogreenhousegases,withcementandsteel production alone accounting for 5–9% of global CO₂ emissions.Bamboohasgainedattentionasaneco-friendly alternative due to its rapid growth, renewability, low embodied energy, and negative carbon footprint. It sequesterssignificantamountsofcarbon,hasashortharvest cycle of 3–5 years, and offers high mechanical strength, includingtensilestrengthcomparabletosteel.Itsflexibility, resilience,andhighstrength-to-weightratiomakeitsuitable forstructuralandseismic-resistantapplications.Bamboocan beusedincolumns,beams,scaffolding,reinforcement,and modular housing, helping reduce construction costs and timelines. Its cultivation also promotes environmental conservation, prevents deforestation, and supports rural

economies, making it a promising material for sustainable andeconomicalconstructionworldwide.

2 LITERATURE REVIEW

Abhijit Kudva et.al (2024) [1] Explored how different chemical treatments affect the physical and mechanical characteristicsof Dendrocalamusstrictus bamboo.Theculms were treated using the dip-diffusion method with 12% sodium chloride, 7% boric acid–borax, and 0.8% copper chrome boron. Tests for moisture content, density, water absorption, swelling, compressive strength, and bending strength revealed that treated samples showed reduced waterabsorptionandswelling,withcopperchromeboron producing the highest mechanical strength. The findings confirmed that suitable chemical treatment enhances bamboo’sdurabilityandstructuralperformance.

Xinzhou Wang et.al (2020) [2] The study assessed how high-temperature saturated steam treatment affects the physical,chemical,and mechanical characteristics ofmoso bamboo.Four-year-oldbambooculmsunderwenttreatment at temperatures of 140 °C, 160 °C, and 180 °C for periods ranging from 10 to 30 minutes. Subsequent evaluations covered microstructure, chemical composition, moisture content, and strength properties. Results showed that treatmentat140°Cenhancedboththemodulusofrupture andmodulusofelasticity,whilehighertemperaturesledto hemicellulose degradation, decreasing strength despite lowering moisture content. Optimal improvements in dimensional stability and durability particularly for outdoor applications were achieved at 160 °C for 30 minutesor180°Cfor10minutes.

International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056

Volume: 12 Issue: 08 | Aug 2025 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072

Rodolfo Lorenzo et.al (2020) [3] Studied the impact of node presence on the mechanical performance of moso bamboo. Culms from Zhejiang Province, China, aged three years,werepreparedintosampleswithandwithoutnodes, thentestedforbending,compression,andtensionaccording toChinesestandards.Resultsindicatedthatnodesincreased bending strength but reduced tensile strength along the grain.Thestudyrecommendedaccountingfornodeeffectsin structuralbamboodesigntooptimizeperformance.

Douglas Mateus de Lima et.al (2023) [4] Investigatedthe physicalandmechanicalbehaviorofgluedlaminatedbamboo in structural applications. Moso bamboo strips were processed,treated,andbondedwithphenol-formaldehyde adhesive. Density, moisture content, modulus of rupture, modulusofelasticity,andcompressivestrengthweretested followingstandardprotocols.Laminatedbamboodisplayed superior strength, dimensional stability, and uniformity compared to solid bamboo, highlighting its potential as a sustainablestructuralmaterial.

Efa Suriani (2018) [5] The research evaluated the mechanicalperformanceoffourIndonesianbamboospecies forpotentialstructuraluse.Matureculmsfrom Gigantochloa apus, Gigantochloa atroviolacea, Dendrocalamus asper,and Bambusavulgaris weretestedfortensile,compressive,shear, and bending strengths in accordance with ISO 22157 standards. Findings revealed that Dendrocalamus asper exhibited the highest strength values, whereas Bambusa vulgaris showed the lowest. The study emphasized the importanceofspeciesselection,identifying Dendrocalamus asper asthemostsuitableoptionforstructuralapplications amongthoseexamined.

Dinie Awalluddin et.al (2017) [6] Thisstudyinvestigated the mechanical properties of four Malaysian bamboo species Dendrocalamus Asper, Bambusa Vulgaris, Schizostachyum Grande, and Gigantochloa Scortechinii prepared by air-drying and boric acid treatment. Compression, tensile, and moisture content tests were conductedaccordingtoISO22157standardsonspecimens fromtop,middle,andbottomculmsections.Resultsshowed highercompressivestrengthatthetop,increasingafterfive months due to moisture reduction, with Dendrocalamus AsperandBambusaVulgarisexhibitingthehigheststrengths. Overall,bamboodemonstratedexcellentstrengthproperties, confirming its suitability as a sustainable substitute for structuraltimber.

S. Kavitha and Dr. T. Felix Kala (2017) [7] The study explored the effect of adding bamboo fibers on the mechanicalperformanceofself-compactingconcrete(SCC) withpartialcementreplacementusing30%GGBSand10% Alccofine.SCCmixturesincorporating1%bamboofiberswith anaspectratioof40werepreparedandtested.Workability, compressive strength, split tensile strength, and flexural strengthwereevaluatedafter7,14,and28daysofcuring.

Resultsshowedsignificantimprovementsacrossallstrength parameters, with the maximum 28-day flexural strength reaching 6.1 N/mm². The research concluded that incorporating 1% bamboo fiber enhances SCC’s strength propertieswhilepromotingsustainabilitythroughreduced cementconsumption.

3 Research Gap

Bamboo is often limited to non-structural uses such as furniture, scaffolding, and decorative items, despite its excellent mechanical properties like high tensile and compressivestrength.Insufficientexplorationofbambooasa primary load-bearing material in modern construction represents the research gap. Standardized design codes, durability improvement methods, and performance evaluation under real structural conditions remain underdeveloped.Limitedstudiesaddressengineeredbamboo products, joint efficiency, and resistance to environmental and biological degradation. Further investigation into treatment techniques, hybrid structural applications, and long-term behaviour is needed to fully utilize bamboo’s potential as a sustainable alternative to conventional constructionmaterials.

4. OBJECTIVES

1. Review studies on bamboo’s strength, durability, and useinstructures.

2. Analyze treatments and manufacturing methods to improveperformance.

3. Identify key challenges and gaps for wider use in construction.

5. METHODOLOGY

5.1 Treatment of Bamboo

Bamboo’s high sugar and starch content makes it susceptible to termite and fungal attacks, while its high moisture content causes shrinkage upon drying, reducing the structural life. Preservation methods include physical and chemical treatments. Physical techniques involve soakinginwaterforthreetofourweeks,heattreatmentat onehundredandfiftydegreesCelsius,orcoatingwithdiesel, engineoil,orphenolformaldehyderesin.Chemicalmethods include injection or diffusion of preservatives such as creosote oil, chromate copper arsenate, chromate copper boron,acidcopperchromate,orboron–boricacidmixtures, though they pose environmental and handling risks. A commonpracticeisboilingculmsindilutesodiumcarbonate orcausticsodaforthirtytosixtyminutes,thencoatingwith slakedlime.Durabilityimprovesbyavoidinggroundcontact andensuringgoodaircirculation.

Volume: 12 Issue: 08 | Aug 2025 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072

5.2 Physical properties

Bamboo specimens were cut to the required dimensions, takingcaretoavoidcrushingordamagingthefibers.Each specimenwasimmediatelyweighedtodetermineitsnatural (wet)mass.Theywerethenoven-driedat103±2°Cuntila constantweightwasachieved,confirmedbytwoconsecutive measurements taken 24 hours apart with no noticeable change. The reduction in mass represented the original moisturecontentofthebamboo.Fordensitymeasurement, thesameoven-driedsampleswereused,withtheirfinaldry mass recorded and dimensions (length, width, and thickness) measured precisely using a vernier caliper to compute the volume. In the case of natural culms, hollow sections wereaccountedfor bymeasuringbothouterand innerdiametersorwallthickness.Densitywascalculatedby dividingtheoven-drymassbythecorrespondingvolume.All steps were carried out in accordance with IS 6874:2008 guidelines

5.3 Mechanical Properties

Forcompressivestrengthtesting,specimenswereprepared with a length-to-diameter ratio that prevents buckling, ensuring smooth, parallel end surfaces for uniform load transfer.Eachspecimenwasplacedverticallybetweensteel bearingplatesinauniversaltestingmachine,andloadwas appliedataconstantrateuntilfailure.Themaximumload sustained was used to determine compressive strength paralleltothefibers.Fortensilestrengthtesting,stripswere cut from the bamboo culm, each containing a centrally positioned node as specified in the standard. The gauge lengthandwidthwerepreparedaccordingtoIS6874:2008, andendsweregrippedsecurelyinwedgeorpneumaticgrips to prevent slipping. Load was applied gradually along the fiber direction until fracture occurred. The highest load recordedbeforefailurewastakenasthetensilecapacity.In bothtests,failuremodeswereobservedandrecorded,and allproceduresstrictlyfollowedIS6874:2008guidelines.

Thestaticbendingtestofbamboo,asperIS8242,involves preparingdefect-freespecimenswithonenodeatmidspan andconditioningthemtoconstantmoisturecontent.Usinga three-point or four-point bending setup, the specimen is placedontwosupportswithaspecifiedspan-to-depthratio. Load is applied gradually until failure, recording load and deflection. The data is used to calculate the modulus of rupture(MOR)andmodulusofelasticity(MOE),determining thebamboo’sbendingstrengthandstiffness.

5.4 Splitting of Bamboo

Thebamboosplittingprocessstartswithselectingmature, straightculmsandcuttingthemtotherequiredlengths.The nodesarethentrimmedorslightlyflattenedtoallowsmooth passagethroughthesplittingtool.Eachculmispositioned verticallyinabamboosplitterequippedwithseveralsharp

radial blades. Applying steady downward pressure forces the culm through the blades, producing strips of predeterminedwidth.Anyirregularstripsarecorrectedor re-splittomaintainuniformity.Thestripsarethentrimmed toremoveroughedges,cleaned,andpreparedfordryingand furtherprocessing.Thistechniqueprovidesspeed,precision, and consistency, making the strips ideal for laminated or structuralapplications.

5.5 Methodology for Laminating Bamboo Strips

Theprocessoflaminatingbambooforstructuralpurposes beginswithselectingstraight,defect-freestripsofuniform size and drying them to the target moisture level. The surfacesareplannedtoenhanceadhesivebonding.Ahighperformance structural adhesive, such as Polyurethane (PUR), Phenol-Resorcinol Formaldehyde (PRF), or Epoxy resin,isevenlyspreadonthebondingfaces.Theprepared strips are then arranged in the desired lamination configuration either with vertical or horizontal grain alignment and pressed using a hydraulic or cold press under specified pressure and duration. After curing, any surplusadhesiveisremoved,andthelaminatedpiecesare trimmedtothefinaldimensions.Thisprocessdelivershigh strength, improved durability, and moisture resistance, making the product suitable for demanding structural applications.

5.6 Comparing Mechanical Properties of Normal and Laminated Bamboo

For mechanical property comparison, both untreated bamboo culm specimens and laminated bamboo samples were produced in accordance with relevant IS standards. Compressive, tensile, and static bending tests were performedasperIS6874:2008andIS8242.Allspecimens were conditioned to a consistent moisture level prior to testing,withuniformdimensionsandidenticaltestsetupsto ensure fair comparison. Load–deflection data, maximum load values, and failure patterns were recorded. Key parameterssuchasmodulusofrupture(MOR),modulusof

International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056

Volume: 12 Issue: 08 | Aug 2025 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072

elasticity(MOE),compressivestrength,andtensilestrength werecalculated.Theresultswereanalyzedtoquantifythe strength and stiffness improvements achieved through lamination.

3. CONCLUSION

Thecomparativeanalysisrevealedthatlaminatedbamboo surpassed normal bamboo in all major mechanical performance indicators, including compressive strength, tensilestrength,MOR,andMOE.Laminationenhancedthe structural behavior by removing natural imperfections, distributing loads more evenly, and improving bonding integrity.Theuseofappropriatestructuraladhesivesfurther contributedtomoistureresistanceanddimensionalstability. Theseenhancementsmakelaminatedbambooanexcellent choice for structural members like beams, columns, and panels,offeringasustainable,strong,anddurablealternative toconventionalbuildingmaterials.

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