Structure-property relations of a natural composite: Bamboo guadua angustifolia, under impact and flexural loads.

In this work a natural fiber composite material, the Guadua Angustifolia Kunth from the family of Bamboo is investigated as a suitable alternative for solutions for impact applications, load-bearing, and other structural applications. Since this type of Bamboo grows faster than wood and requires less water and area to reach maturity and be able to crop, it is a competitive, economically, and environmentally solution when is compared to other construction materials. The Bamboo species of interest is a natural one from Colombia and will be evaluated in flexural behavior and under impact response to understand the material subjected under fast loading. Flexural samples were cut parallel to bamboo axial fibers to obtain the highest impact strength. The flexural tests and scanning electron microscopy characterization were included for microstructure analysis. Additionally, compression at high strain rates was characterized by a split-Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB). Results show flexural strength of about 70 MPa. The impact analysis showed a tough material with very similar values to Charpy notched and dynamic instrumented impact tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]