Abstract

Abstract Bamboo is increasingly recognized as a promising natural material for the construction industry in Malaysia, where understanding its mechanical performance is essential for effective structural design. Dowel-type fasteners, popular for their availability and reliability, are commonly used in bamboo connections, making it crucial to understand their mechanical behavior under load to optimize connection efficiency. Specimen size has a significant effect on embedding properties, which in turn impacts the load-bearing capacity, rigidity, and failure modes of dowel-type joints. Inconsistent sized specimens in embedment yield strength testing are hypothesized to lead to variations in results, potentially resulting in inaccurate predictions of structural behavior. Standardized specimen size guidelines are therefore necessary to ensure reliable and consistent data. This study aims to identify the optimal bamboo specimen size for future reference in embedding strength tests, given the limitations of existing guidelines. ASTM D5764-97a, originally developed for wood testing, is adopted as a standardized framework to evaluate bamboo embedding strength. Experimental results are compared with empirical relationships provided in Eurocode 5 design codes. A total of 12 samples of Gigantochloa scortechinii (Buluh Semantan) species from Jelebu Region in Malaysia were tested, categorized into three groups based on size: the dimensions specified in ASTM D5764-97a, those proposed by the author, and those suggested by prior research (Trujillo, 2018). Additionally, variations in hole positioning were assessed for their impact on embedding strength. This study provides foundational insights for researchers to conduct embedding tests with standardized bamboo specimen sizes, enhancing the accuracy and reliability of bamboo in structural applications.

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