The bending properties of bamboo strand board I-beams

Abstract

Abstract Novel bamboo I-beams fabricated from bamboo oriented strand boards as structural members were investigated. Bending tests were performed to determine the stiffness and strength properties of bamboo I-beams. The results showed that the stiffness and strength properties exceeded the requirements of APA EWS Performance-Rated I-joist in PRI-400-2012. Increasing section depth had obvious effect on the ultimate load capacity, stiffness and failure mode of bamboo I-beams. Moreover, the bending properties of bamboo I-beams were also affected by flange materials, joint type in web, and reinforcement of flange finger joints. The strain measurements indicated that the plane assumption could be applied to the bamboo I-beams. Based on the stiffness calculation formula of I-beams recommended in Canadian standard and the moment capacity calculation formula corresponding to each failure mode of I-beams, the calculated stiffness and ultimate load capacity of specimens were relatively close to the experimental results.