At present, most of the existing studies on bamboo nodes focus on the raw bamboo. There is still a lack of researches on the nodes in side press laminated bamboo lumber (LBL). However, after processing, bamboo nodes in the laminated bamboo lumber are different from the raw bamboo nodes in terms of performance. Therefore, this paper carried out tests to analyze the influence of bamboo node on the tensile properties parallel to grain of side press laminated bamboo lumber. 180 specimens were divided into 6 groups, and the number and position of the bamboo nodes at the specimen in each group were different. The effects of these factors on the strength, elastic modulus, and Poisson's ratio of the side press laminated bamboo lumber under tension parallel to grain were obtained. The tensile failure of side press laminated bamboo lumber was a brittle fracture, and the typical failure mode can be classified into three types. The mean value for tensile strength was 127.18 MPa when there was no bamboo node, while the mean value was 89.99-107.37 MPa when there were one to three bamboo nodes. The number of bamboo nodes would significantly affect the tensile properties parallel to grain of side press laminated bamboo lumber, whereas the position of bamboo nodes has an insubstantial impact. Comparisons with other research results were also carried out.A series of formulas were proposed based on the test results to reflect how the node influenced the mechanical properties of side press LBL under tensile conditions.

No abstract

No abstract

In light of the increasing demand for sustainable building materials, the effectiveness of bamboo utilization in various fields has become the object of scientists' close attention. The increased interest in bamboo is explained by its sustainable characteristics, which make it the most preferred material for environmentally friendly and costeffective construction compared to conventional ones. Applicability of bamboo is vast and diverse: from decoration and furniture to structural members and reinforcement. Due to the low price, rich resources, and high elasticity, bamboo culms have also been used as an alternative to steel reinforcement in concrete structures. Extensive research has been done to assess feasibility of bamboo reinforcement in structural elements made of concrete. This article discusses the mechanical properties of three types of structural bamboo reinforced concrete (BRC) beams. Existing original papers on the mechanical behaviour of structural BRC members were studied, and the fundamental properties including typical failure modes, reasons of failure, load-displacement relationships, and influencing factors were discussed and described. Observations and conclusions of the review will contribute to deep understanding of structural feasibility of BRC beams and serve as a base for future research.

No abstract