Cyclic behavior of Laminated Guadua Mat sheathing-to-framing connections

• A new laminated bamboo product is presented as potential alternative to wood products.
• Study of the cyclic behavior of sheathing-to-framing connections of Laminated Guadua Mats (LGM).
• Comparison of the behavior of LGM connections with respect to conventional wood-framed connections.
• Preliminary estimation of the lateral load carrying capacity of shear walls comprised entirely of laminated bamboo.

This study presents, for the first time, a preliminary experimental evaluation of the cyclic behavior of nailed sheathing-to-framing connections comprised entirely by laminated bamboo framing members and sheathing panels, using the newly developed Laminated Guadua Mats (LGM). Two nail sizes were tested both parallel and perpendicular to the fiber direction of the exterior plies of the panel with respect to the framing member. Monotonic and cyclic tests of sheathing-to-framing connections comprised of structural wood framing members and plywood sheathing were also performed in order to obtain a direct comparison of the LGM connections behavior. Load–displacement models were defined based on the experimental results of cyclic tests. Finally, a preliminary numerical prediction of the lateral load carrying capacity of LGM shear walls with these connections is conducted, in order to address the potential of LGM to be used as a structural material in bamboo-framed shear walls, as an alternative to conventional wood-framed construction.