Numerical analysis of truss elements on a sustainable bamboo bridge

Resumo

This paper is concerned with a numerical comparison of truss elements between a steel bridge and
a bamboo bridge, both designed for pedestrian traffic. For this purpose, an existing steel bridge in Brasilia was
considered and later numerically modeled using the Finite Element Method (FEM). In order to show the efficiency
and feasibility of the bamboo as a structural material, another FEM model was considered changing steel elements
with sustainable bamboo elements. It was demonstrated that both bridges have satisfactory stiffness and load
carrying capacity under the Brazilian standards. Based on the results and the analysis, the sustainable bamboo
bridge proved to be lighter and cheaper than the real steel bridge with equal load carrying capacity.