A Proposed Design of Kawayang Tinik (Bambusa Blumeana) as a Seismic Retrofit Material using Finite Element Analysis

Caalim, L. J.; Gillo, A. G.;Quindoza, C.

Program

Civil Engineering

Year

2025

Adviser

Meryl Mae C. Rodriguez

Abstract

The reliance on conventional materials such as Reinforced Concrete (RC) in structural engineering raises concerns about environmental sustainability and resource depletion. Kawayang Tinik (Bambusa blumeana), a cost-effective and widely available bamboo species in the Philippines, presents a viable alternative for seismic retrofitting. However, to ensure its effectiveness in load-bearing applications, its structural viability must be thoroughly assessed against safety standards and was evaluated using Finite Element Analysis (FEA). The research focused on different bracing configurations, revealing that X-bracing systems both with and without horizontal members performed well under seismic loads. Specifically, design stress values for compression (2.84 MPa) and tension (2.76 MPa) in X-bracing without horizontal members were significantly lower than allowable stress limits (38.76 MPa and 8.81 MPa, respectively), indicating high factors of safety. In contrast, K-bracing and Inverse K-bracing consistently exceeded stress limits, deeming them unsuitable. These findings highlight the importance of selecting appropriate bracing configurations to optimize bamboo's structural efficiency. Also, these align with the United Nations SDGs particularly SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), by promoting sustainable building practices using renewable resources. Overall, the study suggests that Kawayang Tinik is a promising material for seismic retrofitting in low-rise structures with X-bracing systems, while further research on hybrid reinforcement methods could enhance performance in high-rise applications.