TITLE:
Experimental Study on the Identification and Mechanical Characterization of Local Bamboo from Benin for Its Use in Wood-Concrete Composite Structures
AUTHORS:
Sanny Kébir Dara, Hounkpè Sèna Peace, Taïpabé Djoui, Kouandété Varéry Doko, Mohamed Gibigaye
KEYWORDS:
Local Bamboo, Bambusa Vulgaris, Timber-Concrete Composite, Bending Test, Tropical Materials, Bio-Based Construction, Flexural Performance, Adsorption
JOURNAL NAME:
World Journal of Engineering and Technology,
Vol.13 No.4,
November
11,
2025
ABSTRACT: This study investigates the mechanical potential of local bamboo species from southern Benin, particularly Bambusa vulgaris, for use in hybrid timber-concrete structures. While bamboo has gained recognition as a sustainable and high-performance bio-based material, the mechanical properties of African species remain underexplored. A comprehensive experimental campaign was conducted involving three-point and four-point bending tests on parallelepiped specimens machined from bamboo stems. Key mechanical parameters—maximum force, displacement at failure, apparent modulus of elasticity, and specific fracture energy—were measured and analyzed. Results revealed significant variability across different specimen configurations, with some values comparable to or exceeding those of common tropical hardwoods. The findings confirm the structural relevance of local bamboo as a sustainable alternative in composite floor systems. Future work will focus on tensile and compressive behavior, long-term performance, and interface mechanics with concrete.