Mechanical Properties of Laminated Column and Laminated Beam from Sang Mon Bamboo

Abstract

Laminated columns and beams made from Munro bamboo (Dendrocalamus sericeus) were tested for their axial compression resistance and flexural strength characteristics. The bamboo members were constructed using an alternating arrangement of bamboo strips and adhesive bonding. Axial compression resistance tests were conducted for laminated bamboo columns with three different cross-sectional sizes, having a height-to-width ratio of 2, as follows: 10 x 10 cm with a height of 20 cm, 12.5 x 12.5 cm with a height of 25 cm, and 15 x 15 cm with a height of 30 cm. Additionally, the flexural strength of laminated bamboo beams with a width of 5 cm and a length of 120 cm was tested at three different depths: 15 cm, 20 cm, and 25 cm. The study revealed that when bamboo columns with the same height-to-width ratio had an increased cross-sectional area, the axial compression resistance also increased at the section. Furthermore, it was found that laminated bamboo columns had greater load-carrying capacity than solid softwood, while laminated bamboo beams had lower load-carrying capacity than solid softwood. This was attributed to shear failure caused by the adhesive bond strength, with an average shear strength of 7.3 kg/cm² and no damage observed in the wood pieces. Therefore, for the development of bamboo columns and beams, further studies and improvements in adhesives or methods of securing small wood pieces together should be considered to increase the load-carrying capacity, making them more viable for future applications.