The mechanical properties of cracked round bamboo reinforced with FRP sheets subjected to axial compression

The natural round bamboo is a kind of traditional building material, but now barely used for its bad durability and easiness to crack compared to other bamboo productions after secondary operation. In order to improve the safety and durability of the round bamboo structures, the axial compressive test of the GFRP (glass fiber reinforced polymer) reinforcing cracked bamboo was conducted. The round bamboo specimens in the height of 20 cm were divided into four categories: the first without cracks and reinforcement, the second with cracks but without reinforcement, the third with cracks and full GFRP reinforcement, and the last with cracks but only reinforced in the middle height. The bearing capacity and the failure mode were observed and studied. It was found that the GFRP reinforcement could significantly increase the bearing capacity of the cracked round bamboos, and avoid brittle failures through improving the ductility.