Large Rotations of Bamboo Strips: Experiments and Modeling in OpenSeesPy

Abstract

This study sets out to evolve the mechanical properties of bamboo strips under active bending. In particular, this study presents the potential of the use of bamboo strips for creating an active bending temporary corridor. Bending tests of bamboo strips are performed to evaluate the mechanical properties of the materials that will be used in the numerical analysis. The numerical analysis of the active bending bamboo strips is established to compare with the test. OpenSeesPy is used to make the numerical analysis of bamboo strips to simulate the mechanical performance. It is found that bamboo strips have different performances when bending on a more fiber side (MFS) or less fiber side (LFS). It has better flexibility when bending with MFS in tension, while it has good stiffness and is easy to break when bending with MFS in compression. The numerical models have good agreement with the test result of the bending of the bamboo strip.