Adaptation of a wood theoretical fracture model for predicting splitting capacity of dowelled connections in bamboo

A theoretical fracture model for predicting the splitting capacity of transversely loaded dowelled connections in timber was adapted to suit round bamboo. Existing experimental data obtained from a bespoke dowelled connection test for G. angustifolia (Guadua) bamboo was used to validate the model. It was found that the proposed theoretical model corresponds well with the experimental results. In addition, a simple numerical model was implemented using the Finite Element method to model the splitting capacity of the studied connection. The numerical results were found to correlate well with the experimental data. The study confirmed that the splitting capacity of transversely loaded dowelled connections in natural, unfilled bamboo internode can be effectively predicted with a theoretical timber fracture model as well as with the Finite Element analysis. The main outcome of the study is the characteristic equation for splitting capacity of a dowelled connection loaded perpendicular to fibre in round, unfilled Guadua bamboo.