Prestressed wood or bamboo structures: Historical overview and state-of-the-art

This review explores the evolution of prestressed timber/bamboo structures across component, connection, and structural levels, and it examines the corresponding performance of prestressed specimens. Firstly, the utilization of prestress in beams is achieved through either pre-bending methods or the incorporation of additional components. Subsequently, prestress in timber/bamboo columns often appears in the form of lateral confinement, which improves the compressive performance of the columns. On the structural level, prestress is applied in self-centering structural systems and large-span string timber/bamboo structures. Detailed schematic diagrams illustrate the application methods and underlying principles of prestress in timber/bamboo components and structures. Based on the current state of research, the future research needs and development directions are outlined. The research aims to promote the broader application of prestressed timber/bamboo structures in practical engineering, contributing to the advancement of sustainable building practices.