Performance and evaluation of perforated bamboo as reinforcement for concrete

Steel is one of the major reinforcement materials in concrete. The use of other relatively available, natural, and local construction materials such as perforated bamboo for concrete reinforcement is given high consideration this day because of the high cost and unavailability of steel. In this research, perforated bamboo was evaluated as a reinforcement material in concrete. Both perforated and split bamboo were subjected to flexural strength test to characterize their performance as reinforcement material for concrete. Another flexural strength test was conducted on a concrete reinforced with steel in order to compare its strength properties with both the perforated and split bamboo. It was observed that the use of perforated bamboo as a reinforcement material in concrete is suitable for minor structural construction projects such as lintel.