This paper proposes a methodology to develop a material model for bamboo culms to use it in a more
rigorous structural analysis and design. The study presented here is part of a broader research with the
aim of exploiting the mechanical properties of bamboo in lightweight structures that may transfer
predominantly axial compressive forces. The methodology is based on theoretical analysis and
experimental tests. Composite material theory has been adopted to describe the mathematical model
that can realistically reproduce the behaviour of bamboo culms. The composite material model is
linear elastic and describes the axial and flexural stiffness, and the stress distribution across the culm
wall thickness. For this study a series of experimental tests of the bamboo species Moso
(Phyllostachys Pubescens) were devised to obtain the Modulus of Elasticity � under axial
compressive loads. Establishing suitable test methods to determine material properties is not an easy
task due to the difficulty of working with a non-isotropic and variable material. Experimental tests
were based on two different codified methods (JG/T 199-2007; ISO 22157-2004) with the aim of
reviewing the differences in the results of small coupons and full culm specimens, as well as
emphasising the issues related to the measurement of strains in a material with through-thickness
gradient fibre distribution under axial compression. In order to model the variability across the culm
wall, the volume fraction of the fibres was calculated by image analysis. In addition, assessment of
through-thickness strain distributions of small coupons using digital image correlation (DIC) was
carried out and is discussed in this paper. The validation process for the composite material model is
ongoing
