LAUSR

Abstract The bearing capacity and stability of eight original bamboo columns and eight sprayed composite mortar–original bamboo composite columns (composite columns) were investigated through axial compression testing, and several methods for calculating the strength and stability capacities of the original and composite columns were proposed. The results showed that the failure mode of short columns was strength failure at the ends of the columns, and the failure mode of slender columns was buckling. The experimental ultimate load and ductility of the short composite column supported by the total cross section were 1.5 and 2.6 times higher than those of the short original bamboo column, respectively. Finite-element analysis results for the columns matched well with the experimental results. Considering the effects of the cross-sectional dimensions and initial deflection of the columns on the stability, a calculation method for the buckling coefficient of slender columns based on the edge fibre yield was proposed, and the results of this method agreed with the finite-element results and the experimental results.