Development of load tables for design of full-culm bamboo

Design aids in the form of load tables or span tables are well known to engineers and are commonly used in timber and steel design. Such tables reduce the need for repetitive calculation and allow for easy ‘what-if’ queries during design. They also permit rapid communication of minimum design requirements. This paper demonstrates an approach for developing design load tables for full culm bamboo elements for compression and flexure. The design tables are based on the provisions of ISO 22156:2021 and are most easily developed based upon an established grading procedure as described by ISO 19624:2018. Prior to the synthesis of these two standards, generation of such load tables for bamboo was not practical. The development of archetypal column axial load tables and beam flexural span load tables is demonstrated. Examples of their use are illustrated demonstrating how alternate designs are easily established and compared. Such load tables are most appropriate for bespoke in-house design aides or as “national annexes” appended to ISO 22156:2021 upon its adoption by a jurisdiction.