The use of bamboo as longitudinal reinforcement, coupled with the application of self-compacted concrete (SCC) in the construction industry, may be a promising solution to issues involving sustainable development in developing countries. This study seeks to investigate the flexural performance of bamboo-reinforced SCC beams with adequate transverse reinforcement. The major design parameters were the shear span-to-depth ratio, the percentage of longitudinal reinforcement, and the maximum size of coarse aggregate. The load-deflection curves, serviceability and ultimate failure characteristics, cracking behavior, and ductility measures were evaluated and discussed among tested beams. Results indicated that their structural performance at service and ultimate failure would be adequate when a material reduction factor of three is used with BS 8110 design code. However, to achieve maximum ductility, the level of longitudinal reinforcement should be in range of 2.6-3.1%. Furthermore, an increase in the size of coarse aggregate will greatly impact the degree of ductility. K E Y W O R D S bamboo, ductility, flexure, RC beams, self-compacting concrete 1 | INTRODUCTIONThe ever-increasing urbanization that mainly emanates from rapid population growth, particularly in developing countries, has placed much pressure on the demand for building materials in the construction sector. Hence, to maintain a sustainable construction industry, several innovative studies have investigated the relative performance of alternative design methods and materials to conventional ideologies. [1][2][3][4] Javadian et al 5 noted that the contribution from developing countries to the overall demand on concrete as a building material is approximately 90%. Additionally, Hebel et al 6 established that developing countries also account for about 80% of the global demand of steel in the construction industry. However, most of such countries are unable to synthesize these materials, particularly cement and steel, and rely heavily on importation from others. Hence, alternative building materials, which are readily available, affordable, and able to exhibit adequate structural behavior under all forms of external loading, are greatly preferred.A suitable option will be to use bamboo as longitudinal reinforcement for concrete structures that are not subjected to severe loading conditions. Extensive researches 3,4,7-10 on the mechanical behavior of bamboo have revealed that it possesses a comparable tensile strength in relation to mild steel and, as such, can serve as a suitable replacement for steel. However, reliable quantification of its tensile strength is problematic as it is naturally occurring, therefore giving bamboo a wide variability in strength. Therefore, studies 3,4,11,12 on its performance have mainly aimed at finding the optimum percentage of reinforcement that gives a maximum level of ductility under loading. Khare 13 recommended that an optimum of 4% longitudinal reinforcement should be utilized in the design of bamboo-reinforced concrete st...
