Experimental analysis of concrete columns with bamboo reinforcement under eccentric compression

Abstract

This research evaluated the flexo-compression behavior in the rigidity of the beam-pillar connection with the use of bamboo armor of the species bamboo vulgaris as an alternative replacement to conventional steel reinforcement, in the expectation of using an alternative material with ecological biases. They have manufactured reinforced concrete pillars of length 1,600 mm and cross-sections (140 x 140) mm² and (140 x 310) mm² were made, respectively, in the internal stretch and at the ends of the pillar, simulating the beam-pillar connection. The pillars had as their only variable the longitudinal reinforcement rate, of 1.03% for the conventional pillar, of 2.14%, 3.21% and 4.29% for the pillars with the bamboo. The results regarding the resistant capacity showed that the pillar with the bamboo rate of 4.29%, that is, with the reinforcement area four times the steel area, presented similar behavior to the pillar with conventional reinforcement and had the lowest ductility index, considerably reducing the propagation of cracks. And the theoretical estimates showed variability of only 9%. Thus, bamboo, with an adequate rate and adhesion, revealed a technically viable and sustainable alternative to steel in the manufacture of reinforced concrete structural elements.