FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS FOR THE PREDICTION OF THE CIRCUMFERENTIAL BAMBOO STRENGTH

Reported theoretical analyses have not explained the variation with radius of the circumferential strength of bamboo. This study aims to analyze this issue using finite element analysis. A rectangular image representative of the culm cross section of Phyllostachys edulis was divided along the radial direction into ten parts. Next, ten FE rectangular models representing the fibers, matrix, and void content at each radial position were generated. The matrix and the fibers were assumed to be isotropic, having elastic moduli of 1800 MPa and 18000 MPa, respectively. The strength predicted with the fiber first principal stress is parabolic along the radial direction, consistent with experimental findings.