The crushing behaviour of bamboo — Epoxy composite tube

Abstract

An experimental investigation was conducted to study the crush-worthiness parameters and behaviour of the bamboo-epoxy composite tube with chamfering angle 45° at one end. Quasi-static compressive loadings were applied axially to investigate the response of force-displacement during progressive collapses. The Shimadzu concrete compression testing machine with capacity 2000 KN was used in this experiment. Load-displacement curve and collapses mode of the specimen are presented and discussed. The results showed that this novel uni-directional bamboo-fibers/epoxy tube could absorb 5.01 KJ energy caused by moving of cross head as far as 50 mm. The other crush-worthiness parameters are force average, crush force efficiency, and the specific energy absorption which have value of 102.60 KN, 0.57, and 18.23 KJ/kg, respectively. The progressive collapse mechanisms which occur in this experimental design are consisting of fragmentation and splaying failure modes. In conclusion, the results demonstrate a novel Crash box product constructed from bamboo and epoxy with good performance findings within crash-worthiness parameters comparing to the original equipment manufacturer product.