Adamu, Asnake(PhD)Mengistu, Fikremariam2018-06-182023-11-112018-06-182023-11-112010-03http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/12345678/1306This study presents the evaluation of the feasibility of the use of bamboo as reinforcement in concrete members. To achieve this objective a series of tensile, compression, pullout and flexural tests are carried on Gumero bamboo species collected from Gurage zone SNNPS. The tests were prepared and performed in accordance with the standard procedure established in ISO-22157, ASTM and other related references. The results for the tensile test indicated that the tensile strength of the bamboo species up to 149.5N/mm2 has been recorded and failure of the tensile samples occurred at the nodes. Similarly, the compression test indicates that the compression strength of the bamboo species up to 44.17N/mm2 are obtained and failures of the compression samples were initiated primarily due to splitting and end brooming. The compressive strength was found to be much less than the tensile strength. This confirmed the fact that bamboo fiber grows in the longitudinal direction and it has less resistance in the transverse direction. On the other hand pullout test were conducted for untreated full , half, quarter sections and treated quarter section. From the test result the treated quarter sections have a slightly better bond strength than the untreated quarter section. Moreover, the untreated quarter sections have more bond strength than the untreated half and full sections. Further, the node helps the bamboo in the reinforcement to have a bearing action . Flexural tests were also made for 2.5%, 3.5%, 4.5% and treated 2.5% as percentage of bamboo to net concrete area. From the experimental result beam specimens with bamboo concrete ratio of 4.5%, sustained greater load than those specimens with 2.5 and 3.5 percentages. Furthermore, beam specimens with 3.5% sustained greater load than beams with 2.5 percentages. With this intention the carrying capacity of bamboo reinforced beam was maximized by increasing the percentage of bamboo reinforcement. Comparison with minimum steel reinforced concrete and equivalent stress steel reinforced concrete was made. It was obtained that the 2.5 % bamboo had ultimate load resistance by more than 20% than the minimum steel reinforcement. It was also shown that the ultimate load capacity of bamboo was about 45% equivalent steel reinforced concrete beam.enStrengthesThesis