Rotational Behavior of Innovative Glued Laminated Bamboo Beam-to-Column Connections Using External Steel Plates and Self-Tapping Screws

Abstract:

In order to solve the difficulties of slotting and perforating of laminated bamboo， and the problem of bamboo splitting when the beam-to-column connections were rotated， the rotational behavior of innovative laminated bamboo beam-to-column connections using side steel plates and self-tapping screws were studied. Two types of connections were designed， and a monotonic loading test was conducted on 5 specimens， including T-shaped extended end plate connections with side plates that confine the beam and double L-shaped end bracket connection partially confining both the beam and column， to analyze the failure mode， initial stiffness， ultimate bearing capacity， deformation capacity， and ductility coefficient of the connections. The results of the test show that most mechanical parameters of T-connections are better than those of L-connections. The failure of the T-connection using more screws of smaller diameter （T8×8-M） is caused by tensile rupture of steel plates and self-tapping screws， while the failure of the T-connection using less screws of larger diameter （T6×10-M） is caused by bamboo splitting and shear failure of steel plates. The reinforcement of self-tapping screws transversely enhances the mechanical behavior of all connections， especially T-connections. The design code “Standard for design of engineered bamboo structures” （T/CECS 1101—2022） can conservatively predict the bending capacity of the laminate bamboo connections.