This work aimed to investigate the mechanical behaviour of Dendrocalamus giganteus bamboo columns filled with concrete. Eighteen columns were tested under axial compression. The columns were 1, 1.5 and 2 m high and, for each height, 6 columns were studied, in which three were filled with concrete and three were made only with the bamboo culms. The results were analysed by the instability theory of cylindrical shell and by the mechanical properties of the material. Theoretical and experimental load versus strain curves are presented and the influence of column height on the columns load capacity were evaluated by variance analysis. The bamboo-concrete columns presented a non linear behaviour and showed an ultimate load 50% lower than the theoretical loads calculated by the mechanical resistance of the materials. The columns made only with bamboo culms presented a linear behaviour and the differences between the theoretical and experimental load were less than 5%. Finally, the columns made with bamboo culms showed great potential to be used as an alternative in low-income housing.
structural element; alternative material; non-metallic reinforcement; compressive strength
