Research progress of cross-laminated timber and bamboo (CLBT)

Cross-laminated timber (CLT) has currently drawn wide attention and is used increasingly in multi-story and even high-rise buildings worldwide, due to its excellent constructability, good structural and maintenance performance. China has abundant bamboo forest resources and bamboo has good physical and mechanical properties, machinability and durability. Inspired by the CLT development and based on the extensive experiences of developing industrialized glued-laminated bamboo (glubam) structures, the cross-laminated bamboo and timber (CLBT or CLTB) was proposed. On the basis of a review on international and domestic research on mechanical properties, connection types and seismic performance of CLT structures, the research findings on mechanical behaviors of CLBT components and physical properties of CLBT wall panels were summarized, including bending test of CLBT beams, axial compression test of CLBT columns, thermal and acoustic performance test of CLBT wall panels, etc.An analytical model based on the high-order shear deformation theory was also proposed to predict the deformation of CLBT beams and columns, and the accuracy of the model was verified through comparison with the test results. The research results show that CLBT has good mechanical properties, thermal insulation and sound insulation comparable to CLT. The study also indicates that the mechanical properties of CLBT beams made of glubam panels and fast-growing domestic poplar wood are as good as those of CLBT beams using imported timber. Therefore, the development and application of the CLBT structure are helpful of finding a new way for the rational utilization of the abundant fast-growing domestic wood and bamboo resources. The application of biomaterials such as timber and bamboo in construction is of great significance for achieving carbon neutrality.