Abstract

This work investigated the structural strength of concrete column reinforced with bamboo strips. Experimental work includes load capacity test, deflection and failure patterns observation of eighteen concrete columns. Varying bamboo, from 4No to 12No, strips of coated seasoned bamboo of cross-section 8x10mm, were used to reinforce the concrete columns. Three other samples of column were reinforced with four length of 12mm high yield steel while the remaining was plain concrete, which served as controls. The results showed that the load carrying capacity of the column increased with increase in percentage of bamboo strip reinforcement but the increase is not proportional to the percentage of reinforcement. There was also improved post cracking ability of the concrete due to the bamboo inclusion but not as pronounced in steel reinforced column. However, all columns failed in a similar pattern due to crushing of concrete. The bamboo strips showed no sign of slippage and remain unaffected even after concrete failure.

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