Experimental study of fire resistance of bolted laminated bamboo beam-to-column connections

• Published in: Journal of Building Engineering 2025-04, Vol.99, Article 111611
• Main Authors: Xu, Qingfeng, Han, Chongqing, Wang, Mingqian, Harries, Kent A., Dai, Lu, Leng, Yubing
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bolted beam-to-column connection; Fire resistance; Laminated bamboo; Load ratio
• ISSN: 2352-7102; 2352-7102
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jobe.2024.111611

This paper reports the results of an experimental study on the fire resistance of bolted laminated bamboo beam-to-column connections exposed to an ISO 834 standard fire. Six full-scale connection specimens were fabricated. Connection types included bolted connections with slotted-in steel plates and bolted connections with T-shape steel side plates. Ratios of the applied load during fire exposure were 0.3 and 0.5 of the ultimate connection capacity. In loading tests to failure at room temperature, the steel side plate connections exhibited significantly greater rotational stiffness and ultimate bending capacity than did the slotted-in steel plate connections. Fire resistance of the steel side plate connections was 32 % and 38 % longer than that of slotted-in steel plate connections under load ratios of 0.3 and 0.5, respectively. Additionally, failure was pushed out of the critical connection region into the beam. The steel side plates effectively encapsulated the combustible bamboo in the connection region. The average charring rate of the four specimens was 0.87 mm/min, which is slightly lower than the nominal linear charring rate (0.90 mm/min) prescribed for engineered bamboo structures. •Test results of fire resistance of bolted laminated bamboo beam-to-column connections are reported.•Connection types included connections with slotted-in steel plates and T-shape steel side plates.•Charring rate of the laminated bamboo was determined.