EFFECTS OF NODE DISTRIBUTION ON BENDING DEFORMATION OF BAMBOO

Abstract

Bamboo has attracted increasing interest for its promising application and usage in sustainable structural purposes. Bamboo node is crucial in improving stiffness and stability of bamboo under wind load. However, the structural role of node distribution in bending deformation has not yet been fully understood. This paper studied the effects of node distribution on bamboo outer diameter compression both theoretically and experimentally. A loaded bamboo model was set up to deduce the formula for its calculated compression. One loaded bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) with 42, 11 or 0 node was measured to obtain the measured compression values. The calculated and the measured compressions showed that the outer diameter compression of the bamboo with 42 nodes was lower than the bamboo with 11 nodes, and much lower than that without node. Bamboo nodes effectively reduced the outer diameter compression, and the more nodes, the smaller the compression value. Nodes also kept compression from 0.16 to 2.04 mm. Bamboo nodes played a vital role in avoiding strong bending deformation under wind load. This work could provide insights to help the bio-inspired design of advanced structures with desired bending deformation.