International Journal of Scientific Research in Engineering – IJSRE

Investigation on Strength Properties of Bamboo Sticks as Reinforcement in

Concrete with Metakaolin as Partial Replacement to Cement
Karthikeyan T*, Manikandan V, Revathi A
*
PG student, Department of Civil Engineering, Jay Shriram Group of Institutions, Tiruppur,
Tamilnadu, India.
**
UG student, Department of Civil Engineering, Jay Shriram Group of Institutions, Tiruppur,
Tamilnadu, India.
Corresponding Author Address:
Mr. Karthikeyan T
PG Student,
Department of Civil Engineering,
Tiruppur, Tamilnadu, India.

ABSTRACT
The experimental investigation was made on the concrete members with bamboo as a
reinforcement instead of steel. Bamboo is a fastest growing plant which has 70 percent of
longitudinal fibres that shows better result in tensile strength. Bamboo has a high resistant
capacity towards corrosion and chemical attacks. In this study bamboo is coated with asphalt
emulsion water proof coating to avoid swelling when it comes in contact with moisture
content. The bamboo is substituted to the steel reinforcement in the increasing percentage of
25%, 50%, 75% and 100% to the area of steel in the beam specimens. Metakaolin was
replaced in the proportion of 10%, 12% and 14% to the ordinary Portland cement with the
effect of bamboo as replacement to the steel has been studied. The strength and flexural
behavior of bamboo reinforced beam specimens were studied and compared with steel
reinforced beam specimens. From this study it is seen that the bamboo reinforced concrete
beams shows flexural behavior nearly equal to steel reinforced beams.
KEYWORDS: Bamboo reinforcement, Tensile strength, Flexural behavior.

INTRODUCTION
The construction sector shows a huge development growth rate in recent times which leads to
the increase in material costs. The use of bamboo as a reinforcement in concrete is a newly
evolved concept that leads to increasing demand for low cost building materials. It is
potentially superior to timber and to construction steel in terms of its weight to strength ratio.

Bamboo is material have excellent engineering qualities can be utilized housing projects. It is
easily available than the other type of reinforcement like steel etc. So as to overcome the
feasibility of steel and reduce the construction cost preferably natural material such as
bamboo is used as reinforcement instead of steel[1]. Bamboo average tensile strength is
approximately 280 MPa in the specimens without node and 100 MPa in the specimens with
node[2].

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Bamboo can only be used for lightweight RC structures. The flexural stiffness of bamboo RC
beams was about 32% respectively of the conventional steel bars RC beams. The first
cracking loads of bamboo RC beams were 55% respectively of the conventional steel RC
beams. The experimental ultimate failure loads of bamboo RC beams were 51% respectively
of the conventional steel RC beams[3].

From axial load test it is observed that, both the plain concrete and untreated bamboo
reinforced concrete columns exhibited brittle behavior and shows little warning of impending
axial failure whereas the treated BRC column exhibits ductile behavior and provides
sufficient warning before failure. Bamboo has the potential to substitute steel as
reinforcement for beam and column members[4].

The cracking patterns in Bamboo RC beams can becomes similar to the RC beams, and the
predicted crack load of BRC beam give a strong effect in comparison with the test data. The
fracture behavior of BRC beam can be evaluated by the existing formula of RC beam[5]. The
conventional reinforcing materials are not scarce, bamboo can be advantageously used as
reinforcement in semi-permanent structures such as housing for the economically weaker
sections of the community, disaster relief structures, military structures and most of the
secondary & non-load bearing, where shorter life of less stringent service requirement would
be sufficient and appropriate.

REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Arpit Sethia et al., (2014) has reviewed that the tensile strength of bamboo is quite high and
can reach up to 125 MPa. In this study it has been attempted to develop engineered bamboo
structural elements for use in low cost housing. A bending test was performed on Plain, Steel
& Bamboo reinforced members. The total of 4beam (150x150x700mm) were casted using
design mix (M25) as per IS code. These beam included 1 beam of steel reinforcement, 1beam
of plain concrete, and 4beam of untreated bamboo reinforcement. The load-deformation
curves displayed significant nonlinearity, representing that the bamboo has the capacity to
absorb energy. The results obtained accrue the advantage obtained by the composite members
when compared to standard reinforced concrete and plain concrete.[6]

Efe Ikponmwosa et al., (2014) focuses on the development of bamboo composites (high
capacity sections of bamboo for column) for modern bamboo structures. Compressive tests
on composite column segment of bamboo of 150x150x405 mm were conducted on
compression testing machine (CTM) and a maximum failure load of 670kN has been
observed, Load vs. Displacement curve, Stress vs. Strain curve and Peak loads has been
recorded. The flexural parameters assessed were, load-deflection behavior, failure mode, and
flexural moments. Foamed aerated concrete made from cement-sand ratio of 1:3 with
foaming agent to water ratio of 1:33 was prepared. Three sets of 12 beams of 225 x 225 x
2350 mm containing bamboo as reinforcement were tested for flexural strength. The first,

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 International Journal of Scientific Research in Engineering – IJSRE

second and third set respectively had 2, 4, and 6 numbers of 10 mm x 10 mm bamboo as

reinforcement. The deflection decreased with increase in the area of bamboo splints as tensile
reinforcement, but failure load decreased with increase in area of bamboo in the tension zone.
It can be concluded that inclusion of bamboo splints as reinforcement in tension zone
improved the flexural performance of foamed aerated concrete.[7]

Ghavami I.S (1995) explains the classification of seven bamboos studied in accordance to
their physical and mechanical properties, the type and method of application of water
repellent treatment of bamboo splints and the bond. The results of the experimental analysis
of two simply supported bamboo-reinforced lightweight concrete beams with an overall
length of 340 cm and a cross-section of 12 cm by 30 cm width and height, respectively,
subjected to two point loads up to collapse are presented. One beam of the same dimensions
and concrete mix reinforced with steel was also tested for comparison of the results.[8]
EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION
In this experiment M25 mix concrete is used and the mix design was done as per IS 10262 -
2009. The cubes of size 100 x 100 x 100 mm3 and cylinders of 150mm diameter and 300mm
height are casted for each conventional concrete and Metakaolin replacement of 10%, 12%
and 14% to the weight of cement and tested under compression testing machine. The beam
specimens of size 150 x 150 x 700 mm3 are casted with steel reinforcement and bamboo is
replaced to the steel reinforcement in the proportion of 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% to the area
of steel and metakaolin is replaced for each bamboo reinforcement. The 4 numbers of 8mm
diameter rods are provided as main reinforcement and 8mm diameter stirrups are provided at
140mm center to center in beam specimens. The bamboo sticks was cut into 8mm diameter
and coated with asphalt emulsion and replaced to the steel bars. Therefore flexural testing is
done in beam specimen under loading frame and the test results are analyzed.

MATERIALS USED
The cement used in this experimental study is OPC 43 grade cement from Chettinad Cement
Company conforming to specifications of IS 8112:1989. The standard consistency of cement
is found to be 30% and the specific gravity is 2.9. The fine aggregate used for this project is
river sand obtained from approved suppliers and the coarse aggregate used is crushed rock
conforming to specifications of IS 383:1970 and comes under Zone III grade. The specific
gravity of fine aggregate is 2.6 and the coarse aggregate is 2.8. The mature well-seasoned
bamboo sticks is used for this study. The properties such as physical and chemical test are
tested by as per IS code in IS 6874-2008. The tensile strength of bamboo is 312.67 N/mm2
and the moisture content in bamboo is 4%.

MIX DESIGN
The mix design is done for M25 grade of concrete as per the IS 10262:1982. As per the
material properties the mix proportion obtained is 1:1.86:2.35. The water cement ratio used
for the mix design is 0.5.

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RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH
The compressive strength on cube specimens of size 100 x 100 x 100 mm3 are done as per IS
516:1959 codal provisions under the compression testing machine.

COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH in N/mm2

40

30

20

10

0
NC NC+10% NC+12% NC+14%
Metakaolin Metakaolin Metakaolin

COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH For

COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH For
COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH For

Figure-1 Graph showing Compressive strength results for 7, 14 and 28 days

SPLIT TENSILE STRENGTH

The split tensile strength on cylindrical specimens of 150 mm diameter and 300 mm height
are done as per IS 5816:1959 codal provisions under the compression testing machine.

SPLIT TENSILE STRENGTH in N/mm2

7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
NC NC+10% NC+12% NC+14%
Metakaolin Metakaolin Metakaolin

SPLIT TENSILE STRENGTH For

SPLIT TENSILE STRENGTH For
SPLIT TENSILE STRENGTH For

Figure-2 Graph showing Split tensile strength results for 7, 14 and 28 days

FLEXURAL STRENGTH
The flexural strength represents the highest stress experienced within the material at its
moment of rupture. The test was done as per IS 516-1959 codal provision.

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 International Journal of Scientific Research in Engineering – IJSRE

FLEXURAL STRENGTH in N/mm2

16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
28 DAYS

28 DAYS

28 DAYS

28 DAYS
14DAYS

14DAYS

14DAYS

14DAYS
7 DAYS

7 DAYS

7 DAYS

7 DAYS
NC NC+ 10% Metakaolin NC+ 12% Metakaolin NC+ 14% Metakaolin
STEEL REINFORCEMENT 100% BAMBOO REINFORCEMENT 25%
BAMBOO REINFORCEMENT 50% BAMBOO REINFORCEMENT 75%
BAMBOO REINFORCEMENT 100%

Figure-3 Graph showing Flexural strength results for 7, 14 and 28 days

FAILURE MODE AND CRACK PATTERN

The cracks at the mid-span opened widely thereafter with the yielding of steel and bamboo
when the beams reached its ultimate load. The failure pattern of the beam specimens was
found to be similar for both steel and bamboo reinforced beams.

CONCLUSION

Behavior of bamboo as a reinforcement in flexural members with Metakaolin as partial

replacement in M25 concrete has been studied. On the basis of experimental results the
following conclusions have be drawn. The flexural strength for full steel reinforcement shows
27% higher strength than the 25% bamboo reinforcement and 38.95%, 93.29% higher than
the 50% and 75% bamboo reinforcement in the conventional concrete. The Metakaolin with
12% shows better results than the conventional concrete. Thus the bamboo reinforcement
with 50%, 75% and 100% shows flexural strength lesser strength than the full steel
reinforcement. The one fourth the percentage of bamboo reinforcement shows better results
nearer to steel reinforcement. The full steel reinforcement shows 21.45% flexural strength
value higher than the 25% of bamboo reinforcement, 28.11% flexural strength value higher
than the 50% of bamboo reinforcement and the other percentage of bamboo reinforcement
shows lesser flexural strength values. The ultimate load carrying capacity of 25% and 50%
bamboo reinforcement is approximately nearer to the steel reinforced beams. The above
conclusions strengthen the potential of bamboo as substitute for steel reinforcement.
However, the strengths, characteristics and properties of bamboo need to be standardize with
the species and seasoning.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENT

I thank my parents for their invaluable support to me during this research work. I also want to
thank my guide namely: Er. S.Karthik and my co-authors, Jay Shriram Group of Institutions,
Tiruppur, Tamilnadu, India.

REFERENCE

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1106, 2015.
2. N. P. Barbosa, Æ. M. A. Rosa, and B. S. Cunha, “Durability analysis of bamboo as
concrete reinforcement,” pp. 981–989, 2008.
3. P. Adewuyi, A. A. Otukoya, and O. A. Olaniyi, “Comparative Studies of Steel, Bamboo
and Rattan as Reinforcing Bars in Concrete : Tensile and Flexural Characteristics,” no.
June, pp. 228–238, 2015.
4. A. Agarwal, B. Nanda, and D. Maity, “Experimental investigation on chemically treated
bamboo reinforced concrete beams and columns,” Constr. Build. Mater., vol. 71, pp.
610–617, 2014.
5. M. Terai and K. Minami, “Fracture Behavior and Mechanical Properties of Bamboo
Reinforced Concrete Members,” Procedia Eng., vol. 10, pp. 2967–2972, 2011.
6. A. Sethia and V. Baradiya, “Experimental Investigation on Behavior of Bamboo
Reinforced Concrete Member,” pp. 344–348, 2014.
7. E. Ikponmwosa, F. Falade, C. Fapohunda, and J. Aransiola, “Flexural Performance of
Bamboo-Reinforced Foamed Aerated Concrete Beams,” vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 56–63, 2014.
8. K. Ghavami, “Ultimate load behaviour of bamboo-reinforced lightweight concrete
beams,” Cem. Concr. Compos., vol. 17, no. 4, pp. 281–288, 1995.
9. IS: 10262 - 2009 Concrete Mix Proportioning – Guidelines
10. IS: 2386 (Part 1)-1963 Methods of test for aggregates for concrete: Part 1 Determination
of particle size and shape.
11. IS: 2386(Part 3)-1963 Methods of test for aggregates for concrete: Part 3 Determination
of specific gravity, density, voids, absorption and bulking.
12. IS: 2386(Part 4)-1963 Methods of test for aggregates for concrete: Part 4 Determination
of attrition, abrasion, crushing, and impact value of aggregate.
13. IS: 2386(Part 5)-1963 Methods of test for aggregates for concrete: Part 5 Determination
of bulk density and sieve analysis.
14. IS: 516-1959 Method of test for strength of concrete.
15. IS: 5816-1999 Method of test for split tensile strength of concrete.
16. IS: 6874-2008 Method of tests for bamboo (CED 9: Timber and Timber Stores).
17. IS: 800-1984 Method of test for steel.
18. IS: 8242 -1976 Methods of tests for split bamboos (CED 9: Timber and Timber Stores).
19. IS: 9103-1999 Specification for Concrete Admixtures – (CED 2: Cement and Concrete).
20. IS: 13311(Part 1) - 1992 Methods of testing for Non-Destructive testing on concrete.

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21. IS: 13311(Part 2) - 1992 Methods of testing for Non-Destructive testing on concrete.
22. IS: 383- 1970 Specifications for coarse and fine aggregate from natural sources of
concrete.
23. IS: 9221-1979 Specifications for determination of Modulus of Elasticity and Poisson’s
ratio in uniaxial compression.
24. IS: 8112-1989 Specifications for 43grade ordinary Portland cement (second revision).
25. IS: 4031(Part 2)-1999 Methods of test for physical test for hydraulic cement: Part 2
Determination of fineness by Blaine Air Permeability.
26. IS: 4031(Part 3)-1988 Methods of test for physical test for hydraulic cement: Part 3
Determination of soundness.

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