Civil Engineering and Architecture Vol. 14(1), pp. 486 - 497
DOI: 10.13189/cea.2026.140132
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Lateral Overturning Tests of Cement-Bamboo Frame Technology Panels Using ISO 21581 Method II Protocol

Carmencita B. Bibal ^1,*, Gilford B. Estores ², Luis Felipe López ³, Nischal P. N. Pradhan ^3
1 School of Graduate Studies, Mapua University, Intramuros, Philippines
² Dean, School of Civil, Environmental, and Geological Engineering, Mapua University, Philippines
³ Base Bahay Foundation, Inc., Makati City, 1232, Manila, Philippines

ABSTRACT

Sustainable and affordable housing remains a critical challenge in the Philippines, where conventional construction methods contribute to rising environmental impacts, high material costs, and increasing vulnerability to natural hazards. Bamboo, particularly Bambusa blumeana (Kawayan Tinik), offers a locally abundant, renewable, and structurally viable alternative material. This study presents the first experimental assessment of the lateral resistance capacity of panels constructed using Cement-Bamboo Frame Technology (CBFT), an engineered bahareque system designed to support disaster-resilient social housing. Following the ISO 22156:2021 recommendations for light-cement bamboo frames (LCBF), eight CBFT panels with similar configurations are subjected to monotonic and cyclic loadings following the ISO 21581:2010(E) loading protocols per Method II boundary conditions. Mechanical parameters are derived in accordance with ISO/TR 21141:2022, while Kolmogorov–Smirnov test verifies the normality of data per ISO 12122-1:2014 recommendation. CBFT panels demonstrate an average maximum lateral resistance of 24.69 kN across all tests, with approximately 12% higher resistance for cyclic tests than monotonic tests. The characteristic values for the 5th percentile are determined using ISO 12122-6:2017 at 8.5 kN. The commonly observed damage modes include cracking of the top timber plates, foundation connection failures, bracing buckling, and cement plaster cracks. Additionally, splitting of bamboo poles and detachment of the cladding from the frame are due to nail connection withdrawals. Overall, the panels maintained structural integrity, with performance consistent with existing literature on similar construction systems. The findings demonstrate that CBFT panels possess adequate capacity for application in sustainable, low-cost, and hazard-resilient housing. The data gathered from this study contributes to standardization efforts and broader structural application of engineered bamboo construction systems.

KEYWORDS
Bahareque, Bamboo, Cement-Bamboo Frame Technology, Seismic Loading, Social Housing

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Carmencita B. Bibal , Gilford B. Estores , Luis Felipe López , Nischal P. N. Pradhan , "Lateral Overturning Tests of Cement-Bamboo Frame Technology Panels Using ISO 21581 Method II Protocol," Civil Engineering and Architecture, Vol. 14, No. 1, pp. 486 - 497, 2026. DOI: 10.13189/cea.2026.140132.

(b). APA Format:
Carmencita B. Bibal , Gilford B. Estores , Luis Felipe López , Nischal P. N. Pradhan (2026). Lateral Overturning Tests of Cement-Bamboo Frame Technology Panels Using ISO 21581 Method II Protocol. Civil Engineering and Architecture, 14(1), 486 - 497. DOI: 10.13189/cea.2026.140132.