Empirically derived embedment strength and fracture behaviour of Moso bamboo

A sample of 17 specimens was used to experimentally assess the embedment strength parallel to fibres of natural, round Moso bamboo. The tests were run until the brittle failure (fracture) of the specimen occurred, following plastic deformation of bamboo. The experimentally obtained deformation gave an insight into the ductility of dowelled bamboo connections. Multiple linear and non-linear regression analyses were used to derive an equation predicting the embedment strength. A non-linear equation as a function of density was found to output the highest coefficient of determination (R² = 0.63) and was therefore proposed as the mean equation predicting the embedment strength of Moso. Digital Image Correlation (DIC) was used on 8 specimens to assess the strain field during fracture and to capture the specimen fracture behaviour. The observed crack behaviour, embedment strength values and ductility were discussed and compared to published studies on timber and laminated bamboo.