EXPLORATORY STUDY OF THE GLUED LAMINATED BAMBOO GUADUA ANGUSTIFOLIA AS A STRUCTURAL MATERIAL

An exploratory study, conducted at Universidad de los Andes in Bogota, Colombia, of the potential use of glued laminated bamboo guadua (Guadua angustifolia Kunt) as a structural material is presented in this paper. The influence of the direction of the fiber and the location of the laminae in the mechanical properties is discussed. The compression, tension, shear and flexural design stresses of glued laminated guadua are compared to those of Andean structural woods (lumber). Additionally, the effect on the mechanical properties of the bond strength of the adhesive at different test temperatures is investigated. Based on the mechanical properties obtained in this research, glued laminated guadua bamboo can be a suitable construction material for structures.