Experimental study on mechanical properties of laminated bamboo beam-to-column connections

Moment-rotation behavior of three types of beam-to-column connections intended for laminated bamboo structures are presented: (a) conventional bolted connections with slotted-in steel plates; (b) T-shaped extended end plate connections with side plates that confine the beam; and, (c) an L-shaped end bracket connection which partially confines both the beam and column. Each connection was tested under monotonic and reversed cyclic loads and the influence of bolt arrangement and the local inclusion of cross-laminated laminae locally in the connection region were investigated. Specimens having cross-laminated laminae did not exhibit parallel-to-grain splitting initiating at the bolt lines which was prevalent otherwise. Connections fabricated with slotted-in steel plates clearly exhibited slip deformation and lower stiffness and capacities than the T-connections and L-connections. Load-carrying capacities calculated according to Eurocode 5 were found to conservatively estimate the capacities of the T-connections and L-connections. For the I-connections, the safety margin was considerably lower.