Physical and Mechanical Characterization of Fresh Bamboo for Infrastructure Projects

This study tests the physical and mechanical properties of fresh bamboo to explore its suitability for reinforcing the embankment of a highway. A series of experiments is performed using a bamboo species (Sinocalamus affinis) and soil specimens with bamboo grids that are similar to geogrids. The testing indexes include the natural density, water content, wall thickness, and the outer perimeter of bamboo culm. The mechanical property tests include a uniaxial compression test on bamboo culm, tensile and flexural tests on bamboo strips, a friction test on the bamboo–soil interface, a pullout test on a single bamboo strip in a soil specimen, and a triaxial compression test on a soil specimen with a bamboo grid. The results show that the density and water content of fresh bamboo become relatively stable after growing for 2 years and the bamboo strips can satisfy the specification requirement for a traditional geogrid because of their excellent mechanical properties. Based on the physical and mechanical test results, appropriate cutting age of fresh bamboo is 2 years and more. In addition, the compressive strength for bamboo grid–reinforced soil is significantly greater than that of prime soil, and could effectively prevent filling embankments from settling. In addition, its increased shear resistance could suppress a slip shear failure in the filling embankment.