Journal of Bamboo and Rattan
KSCSTE-KFRI

Review of physio-chemical and mechanical properties of bamboo as a reinforcement in concrete

Authors

  • P R Himasree

    Scientist
    Author
  • Chaaruchandra Korde

    Assistant professor
    Author
  • Roger P West

    Professor
    Author
  • N Ganesan

    Professor
    Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55899/09734449/jbr024201

Keywords:

Bamboo, reinforcement, concrete, water absorption, bond

Abstract

Various researchers have investigated bamboo
reinforcement as an alternative to steel; however, the
findings of these studies are widely dispersed and have
not been comprehensively synthesized. This review
collates and consolidates existing research on the use of
bamboo as a reinforcement material to support more
focused and systematic future investigations. The article
provides a concise overview of the physical, chemical,
and mechanical properties of bamboo relevant to
reinforcement applications. In addition, it highlights key
research gaps and outlines future research directions to
explore the potential of bamboo as a sustainable green
building material for construction applications.

Author Biographies

  • P R Himasree, Scientist

    KSCSTE -National Transportation Planning and
    Research Centre (KSCSTE-NATPAC), Govt. of Kerala,
    Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695011, India

  • Chaaruchandra Korde, Assistant professor

    Centre for Technology Alternatives for Rural Areas
    (C-TARA), Indian Institute of Technology Bombay,
    Powai, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400076, India

     

  • Roger P West, Professor

    Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin,
    College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland

  • N Ganesan, Professor

    Former Professor and Dean, Department of Civil Engineering, National Institute of
    Technology Calicut, NIT Campus, Kozhikode,
    Kerala 673601, India.

References

Aarthi, P., Maheswari, M., Sugumaran, M., & Maragatham, N. (2021). Assessment of biomass carbon storage potential and oxygen release of Beema bamboo (Bambusa balcooa) plantations. The Pharma Innovation Journal, 10(10), 2098–2102. http://www.thepharmajournal.com

Agarwal, A., Nanda, B., & Maity, D. (2014). Experimental investigation on chemically treated bamboo reinforced concrete beams and columns. Construction and Building Materials, 71, 610–617. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2014.09.011

Ahmad, S., Raza, A., & Gupta, H. (2014). Mechanical properties of bamboo fiber reinforced concrete. 2nd International Conference on Research in Science, Engineering and Technology, Dubai, UAE, 162–166.

Al-Fasih, M. Y., Hamzah, S., Ahmad, Y., Ibrahim, I. S., & Mohd Ariffin, M. A. (2021). Tensile properties of bamboo strips and flexural behaviour of the bamboo reinforced concrete beams. European Journal of Environmental and Civil Engineering, 1–17.

https://doi.org/10.1080/19648189.2021.1945954

Alnajmi, L., & Abed, F. (2020). Evaluation of FRP bars under compression and their performance in RC columns. Materials, 13(20), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13204541

Anas, S. M., & Alam, M. (2022). Performance of simply supported concrete beams reinforced with high-strength polymer re-bars under blast-induced impulsive loading. International Journal of Structural Engineering, 12(1), 62–76. https://doi.org/10.1504/ijstructe.2022.119289

Archila, H., Kaminski, S., Trujillo, D., Zea Escamilla, E., & Harries, K. A. (2018). Bamboo reinforced concrete: a critical review. Materials and Structures, 51(4), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-018-1228-6

Benmokrane, B., Chaallal, O., & Masmoudi, R. (1995). Glass fibre reinforced plastic (GFRP) rebars for concrete structures. Construction and Building Materials, 9(6), 353–364. https://doi.org/10.1016/0950-0618(95)00048-8

Benmokrane, B., Zhang, B., Laoubi, K., Tighiouart, B., & Lord, I. (2002). Mechanical and bond properties of new generation of carbon fibre reinforced polymer reinforcing bars for concrete structures. Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering, 29(2), 338–343.

https://doi.org/10.1139/l02-013

Bhagat, D., Bhalla, S., & West, R. P. (2021). Fabrication and structural evaluation of fibre reinforced bamboo composite beams as green structural elements. Composites Part C: Open Access, 5(September 2020), 100150. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcomc.2021.100150

Bhonde, D., Nagarnaik, P. B., Parbat, D. K., & Waghe, U. P. (2013). Tension test on male bamboo (Dendrocalmus strictus). International Journal of Advanced Technology in Civil Engineering, 2(1), 104–107.

Brink, F. E., & Rush, P. J. (1966). Bamboo reinforced concrete construction. In U S Naval Civil Engineering Laboratory, Port Hueneme, California.

Budi, A. S., & Rahmadi, A. P. (2019). Flexural behavior of petung bamboo strip notched reinforced concrete beams. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1153(1), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1153/1/012127

Chaaruchandra, K., Gupta, A., & Sudhakar, P. (2012). Experimental study of twin bamboo concrete composite column under laterally restrained pure axial loading. Key Engineering Materials, 517, 203–207. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.517.203

Chmelko, V., Koščo, T., Šulko, M., Margetin, M., & Škriniarová, J. (2024). Poisson’s Ratio of Selected Metallic Materials in the Elastic–Plastic Region. Metals, 14(4), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.3390/met14040433

Chugh, S., Kandya, A., Chaaruchandra, K., & Puttagunta, S. (2012). Experimental study of twin round bamboo concrete infill parabolic tied arch. Key Engineering Materials, 517, 208–212. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.517.208

Dange, S., & Pataskar, S. V. (2017). Cost and design analysis of steel and bamboo reinforcement. International Journal of Innovative Research in Science, Engineering and Technology, 6(12), 22464–22477. https://doi.org/10.15680/IJIRSET.2017.0612046

Das, P., Korde, C., Sudhakar, P., & Satya, S. (2012). Traditional bamboo houses of North-Eastern region: a field study of Assam & Mizoram. Key Engineering Materials, 517, 197–202. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.517.197

Didier, F., Ngapgue, F., Mpessa, M., & Tatietse, T. T. (2012). Physical characterization of two Cameroon bamboo species: arundinaria alpina and oxytenantera abyssinica.International Journal of Engineering and Technology, 4(2), 82–92.

Fahim, M., Haris, M., Khan, W., & Zaman, S. (2022). Bamboo as a construction material: prospects and challenges. Advances in Science and Technology Research Journal Advances, 3(1), 343–349.

Falayi, F. R., Soyoye, B. O., & Tehinse, T. O. (2014). The influence of age and location on selected physical and mechanical properties of bamboo (Phyllostachys pubesces ). International Journal of Research in Agriculture and Forestry, 1(1), 44–54.

Ganesan, N. (1990). Strength and behaviour of bamboo reinforced concrete under flexure and axial compression. National Seminar on Human Settlement, Annamalai University, 69–79.

Ganesan, N., & Chandrakaran, S. (1991). Bamboo reinforced cement concrete water tank. Sixth National Convention on Innovative Approaches to Housing the Poor, The Institution of Engineers, Trivandrum, India, 1–5.

Ganesan, N., Indira, P. V., & Himasree, P. R. (2018a). Strength and behaviour of bamboo reinforced concrete wall panels under two way in-plane action. Advances in Concrete Construction, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.12989/acc.2018.6.1.001

Ganesan, N., Indira, P. V., & Himasree, P. R. (2018b). Bamboo reinforced concrete wall panels under one way in-plane action. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 22(2), 1475–1488. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-018-0258-0

Geymayer, H. G., & Cox, F. B. (1970). Bamboo reinforced concrete. ACI Journal, 67(51), 841–846.

Ghavami, K. (1995). Ultimate load behaviour of bamboo-reinforced lightweight concrete beams. Cement and Concrete Composites, 17(4), 281–288. https://doi.org/10.1016/0958-9465(95)00018-8

Ghavami, K. (2005). Bamboo as reinforcement in structural concrete elements. Cement and Concrete Composites, 27(6), 637–649.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2004.06.002

Govindan, B., Ramasamy, V., & Rajan, D. (2022). Performance assessment on bamboo reinforced concrete beams. Innovative Infrastructure Solutions, 16(7), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41062-021-00616-8

Gowtham, M., & Rajesh, A. A. (2021). An experimental study on mechanical characteristics of treated bamboo reinforced concrete beams. International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD), 5(4), 501–504.

Gull, S., Wani, S. B., & Amin, I. (2020). The Influence of Rib Configuration on Bond Strength Development between Steel and Concrete. Journal of the Civil Engineering Forum, 6(1), 193. https://doi.org/10.22146/jcef.53893

Gupta, S., Sudhakar, P., Korde, C., & Agrawal, A. (2008). Experimental verification of bamboo-concrete composite column with ferro-cement band. Modern Bamboo Structures, November, 253–258. https://doi.org/10.1201/9780203888926.ch28

Gutu, T. (2013). A study on the mechanical strength properties of bamboo to enhance its diversification on its utilization. International Journal of Innovative Technology and Exploring Engineering (IJITEE), 2(5), 314–319.

Hadi, M. N. S. (2008). Bond of High Strength Concrete with High Strength Reinforcing Steel. The Open Civil Engineering Journal, 2(3), 143–147.

Hamad, B. S. (1995). Bond strength improvement of reinforcing bars with specially designed rib geometries. ACI Structural Journal, 92(1), 3–13.

Himasree, P. R., Ganesan, N., & Indira, P. V. (2015). Experimental investigation on the strength and behaviour of bamboo reinforced concrete beams. National Conference on Technological Innovations for Sustainable Infrastructure, 399–405.

Himasree, P. R., Korde, C., West, R. P., & Ganesan, N. (2024). State of the art review of bamboo-reinforced concrete structural elements. Magazine of Concrete Research, 76(2), 55–68. https://doi.org/10.1680/jmacr.23.00050

IS 15912. (2012). Indian Standard Structural Design Using Bamboo-Code of practice. Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi, India.

IS 1786. (2008). Indian Standard High strength deformed steel bars and wires for concrete reinforcement— specification. Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi.

IS 432 (Part 1). (1982). Indian Standard Specifications for Mild Steel and Medium Tensile Steel Bars and Hard-Drawn Steel Wire for Concrete Reinforcement. Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi, India. https://law.resource.org/pub/in/bis/S03/is.432.1.1982.pdf

IS 6874. (2008). Indian Standard Method of Tests for Bamboo. Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi, India.

IS 9096. (2006). Indian Standard Preservation of Bamboo for Structural Purposes - Code of Practice. Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi, India.

Jagadeesan, P., Peddireddy, S. R., Ragi, M., Voruganti, S. T., & Challa, D. K. (2020). Experimental Investigation on Flexural Members Using Basalt Rebars and Hysd Bars As Concrete Reinforcement. I-Manager’s Journal on Structural Engineering, 9(3), 37. https://doi.org/10.26634/jste.9.3.17680

Javadian, A., Wielopolski, M., Smith, I. F. C., & Hebel, D. E. (2016). Bond-behavior study of newly developed bamboo-composite reinforcement in concrete. Construction and Building Materials, 122, 110–117. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.06.084

Jit Kaur, P. (2018). Bamboo availability and utilization potential as a building material. Forestry Research and Engineering: International Journal, 2(5), 8–11. https://doi.org/10.15406/freij.2018.02.00056

Kalpana, V. G., & Subramanian, K. (2011). Behavior of concrete beams reinforced with GFRP bars. Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites, 30(23), 1915–1922. https://doi.org/10.1177/0731684411431119

Kaminski, S., Harries, K. A., Lopez, L. F., Trujillo, D., & Archila, H. (2022). Durability of whole culm bamboo: facts, misconceptions and the new ISO 22156 framework. 18th International Conference on Non-Conventional Materials and Technologies., 1–14.

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6575090

Kankam, J. A., George, V., & Perry, H. S. (1988). Bamboo reinforced concrete beams subjected to third point loading. ACI Structural Journal, 85(7), 61–67.

Kantharuban, K., & Krishnaiah, R. V. (2022). An experimental study of bamboo reinforced beam-column joint under cyclic loading. International Journal of Mechanical Engineering, 7(1), 5415–5424.

Karayannis, C. G., Kosmidou, P. M. K., & Chalioris, C. E. (2018). Reinforced concrete beams with carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer bars-Experimental study. Fibers, 6(4), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.3390/fib6040099

Knoff, W. F. (1987). Relationship between the tensile and shear strength of aramid fibres. Journal of Materials Science Letters, 6(12), 1392–1394. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01689299

Korde, C., West, R., Gupta, A., & Puttagunta, S. (2015). Laterally restrained bamboo concrete composite arch under uniformly distributed loading. Journal of Structural Engineering, 141(3), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)st.1943-541x.0000945

Kumari, B., & Suneja, P. (2016). A critique on the under-explored sustainable building materials in India. IOSR Journal of Mechanical and Civil Engineering (IOSR-JMCE), 59–65.

Kurian, N. P., & Kalam, K. A. A. (1977). Bamboo- reinforced soil-cement for rural use. Indian Concrete Journal, 382–387.

Kute, S. Y., & Wakchaure, M. R. (2014). Performance evaluation for enhancement of some of the engineering properties of bamboo as reinforcement in concrete. Journal of The Institution of Engineers (India): Series A, 94(4), 235–242. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40030-014-0063-1

Li, H., & Shen, S. (2011). The mechanical properties of bamboo and vascular bundles. Journal of Materials Research, 26(21), 2749–2756. https://doi.org/10.1557/jmr.2011.314

Lima, H. C., Willrich, F. L., Barbosa, N. P., Rosa, M. A., & Cunha, B. S. (2007). Durability analysis of bamboo as concrete reinforcement. Materials and Structures, 41(5), 981–989. https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-007-9299-9

Lu, C., Yang, Y., & He, L. (2021). Mechanical and durability properties of GFRP bars exposed to aggressive solution environments. Science and Engineering of Composite Materials, 28(1), 11–23. https://doi.org/10.1515/secm-2021-0002

Mali, P. R., & Datta, D. (2018). Experimental evaluation of bamboo reinforced concrete slab panels. Journal of Building Engineering, 28, 1092–1100. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2019.101071

Masud, M. M., Srivastava, A. K. L., Ali, N., Farooque, Z., & Ahmad, M. S. (2021). Mechanical behaviour of bamboo reinforced beam. International Journal of Innovative Research in Science, Engineering and Technology (IJIRSET), 10(3), 2205–2212. https://doi.org/10.15680/IJIRSET.2021.1003046

Mohamed, O. A., Hawat, W. Al, & Keshawarz, M. (2021). Durability and mechanical properties of concrete reinforced with basalt fiber-reinforced polymer (BFRP) bars: Towards sustainable infrastructure. Polymers, 13(9), 1–23. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13091402

Muhtar, G. (2021). The measurement of the local slip in bamboo-reinforced concrete beams using moment-curvature and bond-stress. Journal of Renewable Materials, 9(9), 1631–1646. https://doi.org/10.32604/jrm.2021.015452

Muhtar, G., Murni Dewi, S., Wisnumurti, & Munawir, A. (2019). The flexural behavior model of bamboo reinforced concrete beams using a hose clamp. MATEC Web of Conferences, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/201927601033

Mwero, J. N. (2020). Evaluation of stiffness of concrete beams reinforced with dry and green bamboo. International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, 10(4), 676–687. https://doi.org/10.29322/IJSRP.10.04.2020.p10073

Narayana, S. K., & Rehman, P. M. A. (1962). Bamboo concrete composite construction. Journal - The Institution of Engineers, India, 42, 426–440.

Pitake, S. A., Tipale, S. S., Ware, V. A., & Walke, M. . M. (2022). Performance evaluation of bamboo reinforced concrete beam. International Journal for Research in Applied Science & Engineering Technology (IJRASET), 10(6), 1–7.

Pratima, P., Adit, M., Vivek, G., Jaymin, P., & Sunny, M. (2013). Performance evaluation of bamboo as reinforcement in design of construction element. International Refereed Journal of Engineering and Science (IRJESS), 2(4), 55–63. www.irjes.comwww.irjes.com

Prinindya, K. N. N., & Ardiansyah, L. (2014). The effect of chemical substance and immersion time of Dendrocalamus asper chemical preservation treatment. International Journal of Advances in Materials Science and Engineering, 1(1), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.12962/j23546026.y2014i1.580

Protchenko, K., Zayoud, F., Urbański, M., & Szmigiera, E. (2020). Tensile and shear testing of basalt fiber reinforced polymer (BFRP) and hybrid basalt/carbon fiber reinforced polymer (HFRP) bars. Materials, 13(24), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13245839

Puri, V., Chakrabortty, P., & Anand, S. (2020). Flexural behaviour of bamboo-reinforced wall panels with varying fly ash content. Magazine of Concrete Research, 72(9), 434–446. https://doi.org/10.1680/jmacr.18.00253

Rahim, N. L., Ibrahim, N. M., Salehuddin, S., Mohammed, S. A., & Othman, M. Z. (2020). Investigation of bamboo as concrete reinforcement in the construction for low-cost housing industry. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 476(1–11),

012058. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/476/1/012058

Rashid, M. A., Mansur, M. A., & Paramasivam, P. (2005). Behavior of Aramid Fiber- Reinforced Polymer Reinforced High Strength Concrete Beams under Bending. Journal of Composites for Construction, 9(2), 117–127. https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)1090-

0268(2005)9:2(117)

Reyaz, A., Thakur, M. M., Ali, & Ahmad, I. (2014). Deflection Control in Rcc Beams By Using Mild Steel Strips (an Experimental Investigation). International Journal of Research in Engineering and Technology, 03(09), 20–29. https://doi.org/10.15623/ijret.2014.0309004

Rolt, J., & Cook, J. R. (2008). Bamboo Reinforced Concrete Pavements (Issue 1). Sabbir, M., Hoq, S., & Fancy, S. (2011). Determination of tensile property of bamboo for using as potential reinforcement in the concrete. International Journal of Civil and

Environmental Engineering, 11(October), 2–6.

Singh, S. B., & Chauhan, A. (2015). Study of the bond behavior of carbon fibre reinforced polymer bars. The Indian Concrete Journal, 89(4), 32–40.

Swamy, R. N. (1984). New reinforced concretes. Surrey University Press.

Togati, V. K., Sakaray, V. H. N., & Kumar, V. P. (2012). Investigation of bamboo fibers as reinforcement in concrete structure. Global Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 2(1), 45–48.

Urbański, M. (2020). Compressive strength of modified FRP hybrid bars. Materials, 13(8), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.3390/MA13081898

Vijayabanu, K., & Sivakumar, M. (2021). Experimental study on bamboo as reinforced concrete and compare the strength, durability of conventional clay bricks with light weight interlocking bricks. Irish Interdisciplinary Journal of Science & Research (IIJSR), 5(3), 33–37.

Vimala, G., & Thippesh, S. A. (2021). Effect of bamboo reinforcements in structural concrete member. International Journal for Modern Trends in Science and Technology, 7, 355–360.

Wei, Y., Chen, S., Jiang, J., Zhou, M., & Zhao, K. (2021). Experimental investigation of bamboo-concrete composite beams with threaded reinforcement connections. Journal of Sandwich Structures and Materials, 24(1), 601–626. https://doi.org/10.1177/10996362211023529

Xiao, Y., Shan, B., & Li, Z. (2014). Glue Laminated Bamboo (GluBam) for Structural Applications. RILEM Bookseries, 9(January), 589–601. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-7811-5

Yathushan, K., Kishok, S., Thevarajah, B. E., & Nithurshan, M. (2021). Bamboo cane as an alternative reinforcement in reinforced concrete beam. Moratuwa Engineering Research Conference, Proceedings, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, 154–159.

https://doi.org/10.1109/MERCon52712.2021.9525805

Yun, H. Do, Kim, S. H., & Choi, W. (2023). Determination of mechanical properties of sand-coated carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) Rebar. Polymers, 15(9), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15092186

Yun, H. D., Kim, S. W., Jeon, E., Park, W. S., & Fukuyama, H. (2008). Tension stiffening and damage tolerance of strain-hardening cement composites (HSCC) tension ties under monotonic and repeated cyclic loadings. Journal of Civil Engineering and Management,

14(2), 131–137.

Published

30-12-2025

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Review of physio-chemical and mechanical properties of bamboo as a reinforcement in concrete. (2025). Journal of Bamboo and Rattan, 24(2), 34-64. https://doi.org/10.55899/09734449/jbr024201

Similar Articles

1-10 of 25

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.