Finite-Element Analysis of Load-Transfer Efficiency in Concrete Pavements Reinforced with Bamboo Dowel Bars

This study investigated the load-transfer efficiency of bamboo dowel bars in concrete pavements using finite-element method (FEM) analysis. Bamboo’s role as a sustainable reinforcement material in pavement engineering is promising yet underresearched. To address this knowledge gap, the study compared the structural behavior of concrete slabs reinforced with bamboo dowels to those reinforced with conventional steel. A blend of three-dimensional (3D) FEM simulations and empirical data informed the examination of stress distribution, load-bearing capacities, and deformation responses. The results indicate that Bambusa bambos and Gigantochloa rostrata have a load-transfer efficiency (LTE) of 79.32% and 79.65% respectively, nearing the LTE of steel dowel bars. This efficiency is realized under optimized conditions, such as specific dowel bar alignments and slab thicknesses. These insights demonstrate bamboo’s efficacy as an environmentally friendly and functionally competitive material for modern pavement construction, marking a significant step toward more-sustainable civil engineering practices.