A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering of the Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand

Thesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1977

This study aims to provide a better understanding of the behaviour of bamboo reinforced concrete columns subjected to uniaxial and biaxial loads. The study consists of a theoretical and an experimental part. The mechanical properties of bamboo, which are closely related to its use as reinforcement in the concrete columns, were investigated. As such, the bamboo was tested for its tensile strength, compressive strength and bond with the concrete. Twenty-four columns were tested; nine bamboo reinforced concrete columns and nine unreinforced concrete columns were tested in uniaxial loading and another six bamboo reinforced concrete columns were tested in biaxial loading. All the columns were 5 in. x 5 in. in cross-section and the length of the shaft was 35 in. The. loads were applied at different eccentricities. Three theoretical methods are suggested for the prediction of ultimate load of bamboo reinforced concrete columns subjected to uniaxial load. Although all the proposed methods agree fairly well with the experimental results, Method I and Method II are tedious for hand calculations. The third method is found t o be the simplest and it gives the results which are very close to the experiment al results . To predict the ultimate load capacity of bamboo reinforced concrete columns under biaxial loads a method is proposed based on BRESLER' s approach. The experimental and theoretical results were found to be in excellent agreement when Method III was used. The theoretical ultimate loads were also calculated for identical steel reinforced concrete columns for a comparative study. A variety of bamboo scientifically known as Thyrsostachys Oliveri and locally known as Pai Ruak was used throughout the