Structural behavior of reinforced concrete beams strengthened with bamboo splints

The aim of this paper is to evaluate through bending tests the structural behavior of reinforced concrete beams additionally reinforced with bamboo splints coated with rubber latex. The bamboo splints are prepared from the stems of the Bambusa vulgaris species and are reinforced in the nodal regions. To examine the strength of adhesion between the bamboo splint and concrete, pull out tests are performed for the specimens. The results of the pullout tests of the test samples show the strengthening of the nodes leading to an increase in the normal tension and rupture of the splint instead of its slip. According to the results of the bending beams, the presence of bamboo splints increases their load capacity when compared with the reference beams. This fact indicates a reduction in the amount of steel required as the structural element. Strengthening the nodes of the bamboo splints provides better performance in terms of deflection and also leads to a slight increase in the beams load capacity. It is worth mentioning that the beams additionally reinforced with bamboo splints reinforced in the nodal region present the same cracking pattern as that of reference beams.