Mechanical Properties of Guadua Elements Subject to Variations in Moisture Content

Due to the housing crisis presented by some Latin American countries, which have abundant natural resources, the development of non-conventional materials has become a necessity today. Colombia is one of the countries that identifies itself as a regional reference for its development in the study and application of alternative materials for its use in construction. Colombia is recognized fundamentally to the wide availability of natural resources, among which the Bamboo of the species Guadua Angustifolia Kunth. Despite the fact that the use for structural purposes of Guadua elements is normalized in Title G-12 of the Colombian Regulation of Resistant Earthquake Construction (NSR-10), it is necessary to consider that being a natural material, volumetric variations can occur. Especially when the material is subjected to changes in moisture between the saturation point of the fibers and the equilibrium moisture. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the influence of the moisture content on the mechanical properties of elements extracted from the base, middle and top of bamboo culms aged 4 to 6 years, after immunization with boric acid solution. The experimental characterization is focused on the determination of compression, bending and shear strength according to the recommendations of the Colombian Technical Standards. The results are compared with those proposed in the Colombian Regulation of Resistant Earthquake Construction (NSR-10).