Edinburgh Napier University

  Bamboo scrimber, a bamboo fibre-based composite made from crushed bamboo fibre, has gained significant attention from researchers and manufacturers due to its exceptional mechanical performance and innovative structural design. This paper introduces a novel concept of dowel-type connections using bamboo scrimber as a sustainable alternative to conventional wooden fasteners. By utilizing fast-growing bamboo-based materials, these connections aim to enhance mechanical properties, improve on-site adaptability, and optimize material efficiency. To evaluate the mechanical behaviour of this new fastener type, 35 double shear-plane connections were assembled, tested, and analysed using laminated bamboo lumber (LBL) and spruce. Key parameters—including failure modes, yield and ultimate loads, and corresponding slips—were examined. Additionally, theoretical equations for shear capacity under different failure modes are proposed based on Johansen’s plastic theory. This experimental study is a pioneering effort to validate the feasibility and effectiveness of bamboo scrimber dowel fasteners for LBL and spruce laminates. The findings present a promising step toward developing innovative dowel-type fasteners derived from bamboo-based materials, laying the foundation for future theoretical and numerical research while expanding their potential applications.