Experimental investigations on the bearing properties of bamboo scrimber joints by a bolted bamboo-steel-bamboo connection

ABSTRACT In this study, a total of forty-two joint specimens were designed to explore the properties of the bolted bamboo-steel-bamboo connection under axial tension. Key design parameters were selected as variables, including the bolt end distance, diameter, and number. Failure modes and mechanical properties were analyzed from the aspects of both bolts and joints. Finally, modified from calculation formula for the bearing capacity of bolted joints in wood structures, the design method for the tested bamboo scrimber connection joint was proposed for the bearing capacity while considering the influence of bolt diameter and bolt number. According to the experimental results, the joint failure was mainly controlled by the bamboo scrimber bearing capacity and bolt bending. Within the design scope, the influence of bolt end distance on the bearing capacity of the joint can be ignored. The bearing capacity of the joint increases with the increase of the bolt diameter. For single-row bolt connection, the bearing capacity of the joint increases with the increase of the number of bolts. The modified formula of single-bolt bearing capacity in the Chinese design codes and multi-bolt bearing capacity in the European code for design of wood structures are in best agreement with the test results.