Experimental and numerical study on a novel bamboo joint for furniture considering effect of loading type on mechanical parameters used in finite element method

Abstract

The effect of loading type (tension, compression and bolt-bearing) on mechanical properties (elastic modulus, Poisson’s ratio and ultimate strength) of Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys heterocycla var. pubescens) in longitudinal direction was evaluated in this study. In addition, experimental and numerical tests were conducted to evaluate withdrawal force capacity and bending moment resistances of a novel demountable bamboo-bolt joint considering effect of loading type on mechanical parameters used in finite element method. The results showed that loading type had significant effect on mechanical properties of Moso bamboo, especially, for ultimate strength; the values of mechanical properties evaluated in this study measured in tension were all much higher than those measured in bolt-bearing state and followed by compression accordingly; in tension, the tensile elastic modulus and Poisson’s ratio measured at outer surface were bigger than those at inner surface, respectively; finite element method got more accurate results using the mechanical parameters measured in compression than those in tension and bolt-bearing states; the bamboo-bolt joint proposed in this study can be used in lightweight bamboo structures through improving the embedding strength of beech wood in bamboo culm. In conclusion, one should consider the loading type used to obtain the mechanical para meters inputted in finite element method. In addition, further studies will focus on effect of size and geometry of samples used to determine mechanical properties used in finite element method, and the method of improving embedding strength of beech wood in bamboo culm to increase withdrawal force capacity and bending moment resistances of the demountable bamboo-bolt joint proposed in this study.