The impact of Bamboo-reinforced in concrete columns/
Maris Balbuena, Erwin Jay Cabantag, Jevie Delos Reyes.
- Mati, San Miguel Zamboanga del Sur : School of Engineering and Technology, JH Cerilles State College, c2025.
- xi, 74 pages with colored illustrations;
Includes bibliographical references
This study investigates the structural performance of concrete columns and beams reinforced with treated bamboo rebars as a sustainable and cost-efficient alternative to traditional steel reinforcement. With bamboo being a locally abundant material in tropical countries like the Philippines, the research explores its viability in vertical and flexural reinforcement for low-rise structures based on the standards of NSCP (2015) and ACI 318-14.
Three sets of column specimens reinforced with 4, 6, and 8 bamboo rebars (20 mm in diameter) were prepared, with two specimens per group, along with beam specimens reinforced with four bamboo rebars. After 14 days of curing, the columns reinforced with six bamboo rebars recorded the highest compressive strengths (29.98 MPa and 18.68 MPa), exceeding the NSCP minimum requirement of 17 MPa. In contrast, the 4- and 8-rebar groups yielded lower or inconsistent strengths, possibly due to poor concrete compaction in the overcrowded configurations.
Flexural tests on the beams showed values of 5.74 MPa and 5.78 MPa, demonstrating bamboo's capacity to resist bending stresses in minor structural applications. The use of a bamboo-reinforced mold also showed potential for enhanced confinement and load distribution. Despite its promise, bamboo reinforcement poses challenges, including variability in mechanical properties, vulnerability to moisture, and lower bond strength compared to steel. The study highlights the importance of proper treatment, detailing, and spacing to ensure performance reliability.
The research concludes that treated bamboo is a feasible reinforcement material for low-rise concrete structures when design is optimized. The six-rebar configuration proved most effective in meeting code requirements, while flexural results confirmed bamboo's suitability for light structural use. The findings support the integration of bamboo into sustainable construction practices, especially in resource-limited and environmentally sensitive areas.