ANISOTROPIC SHEAR BEHAVIOR OF BAMBOO SCRIMBER FOR STRUCTURAL APPLICATIONS

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 Bamboo scrimber (BS) is a high-performance engineered bamboo material gaining recognition as a sustainable alternative to conventional structural materials. Produced through the densification and resin impregnation of bamboo fibers, BS exhibits excellent strength, durability, and resource efficiency. Despite its promising mechanical properties, the anisotropic nature of bamboo—stemming from its fibrous structure—leads to direction-dependent behavior that is not yet fully understood, particularly under shear loading. This knowledge gap presents a critical challenge for the reliable structural design of BS components subjected to shear forces.

Experimental Investigation of Shear Properties

To address this challenge, the study conducted an extensive experimental program involving 250 shear tests performed under five distinct loading orientations. This comprehensive testing approach enabled the systematic evaluation of how fiber alignment and loading direction influence shear performance. By capturing a wide range of conditions, the experiments provide a robust dataset for characterizing the mechanical response of BS, ensuring that the findings are representative of practical structural applications.

Failure Modes and Directional Response

The tests revealed multiple failure modes, each strongly dependent on the loading orientation relative to the bamboo fiber direction. Observed mechanisms included fiber pull-out, matrix cracking, interfacial debonding, and shear sliding along weak planes. These distinct failure patterns demonstrate that BS does not exhibit uniform behavior but instead responds differently depending on the direction of applied load. Understanding these mechanisms is essential for predicting structural performance and preventing brittle or premature failures in real-world applications.

Quantification of Anisotropic Shear Strength and Modulus

Analysis of the experimental data showed pronounced anisotropy in both shear strength and shear modulus. Average shear strengths ranged from 12.93 to 37.63 MPa, while shear modulus values varied between 213.6 and 606.3 MPa across orientations. These wide ranges confirm that BS possesses highly direction-dependent mechanical properties. Such variability underscores the necessity of incorporating orientation-specific parameters into structural design calculations to ensure safety and efficiency.

Statistical Modeling and Design Values

To translate experimental findings into practical engineering parameters, the study employed both Normal and Weibull statistical models to derive directional design values. The resulting characteristic shear strengths ranged from 6.33 to 32.58 MPa, reflecting conservative estimates suitable for structural design. The use of probabilistic models enhances reliability by accounting for material variability and uncertainty, supporting performance-based design methodologies for engineered bamboo structures.

Comparative Performance and Structural Design Implications

When compared with traditional construction materials such as concrete, timber, and laminated bamboo, BS demonstrates superior specific shear strength, highlighting its potential for lightweight yet high-capacity structural elements. Based on these findings, the study proposes design recommendations that explicitly consider directional shear behavior, enabling engineers to utilize BS effectively in shear-critical components. These insights contribute to the advancement of sustainable construction and support the development of standardized guidelines for engineered bamboo structures.

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#StructuralEngineering
#PerformanceBasedDesign
#EcoFriendlyMaterials
#BambooEngineering
#HighStrengthMaterials
#RenewableConstruction
#MechanicalProperties
#AdvancedBuildingMaterials
#LightweightStructures
#CivilEngineeringResearch
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