Flexural performances and failure analyses of parallel bamboo strand lumber plates

Bending behaviors and fracture mechanics of parallel bamboo strand lumber (PBSL) plates are seldom investigated. In this research, orthotropic PBSL plates were designed and fabricated. Flexural experiments were performed to reveal the deformation, the failure process and the load carrying ability of the PBSL plate under concentrated load. Orthotropic mechanical behavior of the PBSL greatly influences the failure process of the PBSL plate. Progressive damage characterizes the failure process. Initial matrix tensile fracture, later fibre compression fracture and final punch failure take place successively. An orthotropic bamboo plate theory was suggested to predict the deformation, the internal forces, the stresses and the strains of the PBSL plate. A composite failure theory based on matrix fracture and fiber fracture was proposed to predict the cracking load and the ultimate load of the PBSL plate. All these attempts make great progress in the research of PBSL plates and could effectively promote their application in structural engineering.