Comparative study of bamboo as an alternative to use against steel in construction structures in Cajamarca-Peru 2025 (#544)

Authors

Carrion Rabanal, Katia Nataly

Torres Mariñas, Noelia Belén

Valdivia Portal, Wendy Milagros

Abstract

This study evaluates the flexural behavior of concrete beams reinforced with Guadua angustifolia bamboo and grade 60 corrugated steel, using three-point bending tests performed according to ASTM standards and the E.060 regulation. After 28 days of curing, the bamboo-reinforced beams reached an average flexural strength of 9.59 MPa, a flexural modulus of 614.43 MPa, and a maximum deflection of 5 mm, while the steel-reinforced beams reached 10.06 MPa, 643.69 MPa, and 5 mm, respectively. ANOVA analysis showed significant differences between the two reinforcements at 7 days (p < 0.001) and 14 days (p = 0.008), but not significant differences at 28 days (p = 0.105). Although steel showed less dispersion (SD = 0.23 MPa) compared to bamboo (SD = 0.63 MPa), the results indicate that bamboo can be considered a viable alternative structural reinforcement, provided that aspects of adhesion and variability are controlled.