Flexural behavior of lightweight bamboo–steel composite slabs

This paper examined the potential of the lightweight bamboo–steel composite slab as a structural member. Six slab specimens were tested to study the flexural behavior of the composite slabs, which were composed of cold-formed thin-walled steel channel and bamboo plywood sheathings. Three types of connections to fabricate the composite slabs were investigated, which are simple adhesive connection, self-tapping screw enhanced connection, and stability improved connection with bamboo laths glued on the both sides of cold-formed steel channel. Results indicated that the specimens fabricated using the stability improved connection showed a remarkable increase in stiffness, capacity and stability, compared with the other two connections. The bamboo–steel composite slabs have the potential to replace concrete or wood slabs in low buildings.

► The bamboo–steel composite slabs being investigated can be used as slab floors.
► The slabs with steel channel stability improved cross section exhibited excellent structural performance.
► Simplified method was proposed to predict the bearing capacities of the slabs.