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Literature proved that bamboo can be used as an alternative reinforcement because it has high tensile strength, which is almost similar to steel reinforcement. Besides, bamboo is lightweight and cheap that suitable for low-cost construction industry. Therefore, in this study, the mechanical properties of bamboo coated with different surface treatment is investigated under static loading. Bamboo type 'Gigantochloa Scortechinii' or also known as 'Buluh Semantan' in Malaysia is chosen as it is largely found in Peninsular Malaysia and has high tensile strength as reported by previous researchers. The bamboo samples were prepared into two different shapes, i.e. cylinder and dog-bone. Prior to laboratory testing, the bamboo samples were coated with solid epoxy and water-based epoxy. These epoxy coatings were chosen because it may provide the best surface treatment as reported by numerous researchers. A total of 18 samples were prepared and tested under static loading. The laboratory tests were performed using the Compression Testing Machine and Universal Testing Machine for compression and tensile tests respectively. Results denoted that the highest compressive strength of bamboo was observed when the bamboo is coated with solid epoxy. The compressive strength of bamboo coated solid epoxy is 6.2% and 23.77% higher than the bamboo coated with water-based epoxy and untreated surface bamboo respectively. Similarly, the ultimate tensile strength of bamboo improved up to 45% coated with solid epoxy compared to other samples of bamboo. The study concluded that the bamboo coated with solid epoxy is the best surface treatment for bamboo reinforcement compared to water-based epoxy and untreated bamboo. The outcome of this study provides essential information on the utilization or application of bamboo as an alternative reinforcement of construction material especially in low-cost construction industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bamboo’s advantages such as fast growing, renewable and easily available raw material meets the demand of sustainable material in construction. Bamboo act as reinforcement to enhance strength in structural members. This paper investigated on the properties of Gigantochloa Scortechinii bamboo (moisture content, density, compression, shear and bending) by referring to ISO 22157. Moisture content for both untreated and treated bamboo high at the bottom section while density is high at the top section. Compression strength for untreated bamboo were between 19.96 to 23.80 MPa and treated bamboo were between 31.74 to 36.60 MPa. High compression was at the top section which have the greatest wall thickness. Shear strength recorded between 4.28 to 5.69 MPa for untreated bamboo with node and 3.67 to 5.21 MPa for treated bamboo with node. The shear strength of samples with node recorded high strength compared to internode. Untreated bamboo recorded the MOR between 53.64 to 73.66 MPa and 58.23 to 62.86 MPa for treated bamboo. MOE of untreated bamboo were between 26.70 GPa to 36.31 GPa while treated bamboo were between 28.83 to 33.41 GPa. By replacing bamboo to the conventional building material, cost of materials will be reduced and sustainability will be enhanced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]