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IS 6874:2008 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for method of tests for bamboo. This standard specifies the methods for testing small clear specimens of bamboo to determine their physical and mechanical properties. It outlines procedures for assessing moisture content, density, compressive strength, static bending, and shear strength, which are essential for quality control and structural applications.
! The properties of bamboo are highly variable; ensure sampling represents the species, age, and location along the culm (bottom, middle, top) as intended for use.
! Moisture content drastically affects mechanical properties. Tests should be correlated to moisture content, and conditioning of specimens may be required.
! The presence and location of nodes in a test specimen can significantly influence results; the standard provides guidance on specimen selection to ensure consistency.
ISO 22157-1:2019ISO (International Organization for Standardization), International
HighCurrent
Bamboo structures — Part 1: Determination of physical and mechanical properties of bamboo culms
Directly corresponds to IS 6874, covering test methods for the physical and mechanical properties of bamboo culms for structural use.
ASTM D143-21ASTM International, USA
MediumCurrent
Standard Test Methods for Small Clear Specimens of Timber
While for timber, its fundamental test methods (bending, compression, shear) are often adapted for bamboo testing and form the basis for many bamboo standards.
GB/T 15780-1995Standardization Administration of China (SAC), China
HighCurrent
Testing methods for physical and mechanical properties of bamboos
A comprehensive national standard covering a similar range of physical and mechanical tests for bamboo.
NTC 5525:2007ICONTEC (Colombian Institute for Technical Standards and Certification), Colombia
HighCurrent
Métodos de ensayo para determinar las propiedades físicas y mecánicas del bambú guadua angustifolia kunth (Test methods to determine the physical and mechanical properties of bamboo Guadua angustifolia Kunth)
Focuses on the Guadua species but details test procedures for bending, compression, shear, etc., that are broadly applicable and similar to IS 6874.
Key Differences
≠IS 6874 specifies taking test specimens from the top, middle, and bottom parts of the culm, whereas ISO 22157-1 provides more specific sampling protocols, often focusing on internodes 2 to 6 from the culm base for consistency.
≠For the static bending test, IS 6874 requires a support span of 'not less than 15 times the diameter', while ISO 22157-1 specifies a more constrained range of 21 to 24 times the external diameter.
≠The compression parallel-to-grain specimen length in IS 6874 is defined as being equal to the culm diameter. ISO 22157-1 uses the same rule but adds an upper limit, stating the length should not exceed 150 mm.
≠IS 6874 specifies a single block-type shear test. In contrast, ISO 22157-1 details two methods for shear testing: one with a carefully prepared notched specimen (preferred) and another with an unnotched block, providing more options and precision.
Key Similarities
≈Both IS 6874 and its primary international equivalent, ISO 22157-1, prescribe testing the same fundamental set of properties: moisture content, density, static bending (MOR/MOE), compression, shear, and tension.
≈The methodology for determining moisture content is identical, using the oven-dry method where a specimen is weighed, dried to a constant weight at 103 ± 2 °C, and re-weighed.
≈Both standards utilize a four-point bending test configuration to determine the Modulus of Rupture and Modulus of Elasticity, which is the standard approach for evaluating flexural properties of beam-like elements.
≈For determining compressive strength parallel to the grain, both standards test a short, full-culm cross-section specimen loaded longitudinally until failure.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Static Bending: Span-to-Diameter Ratio
Not less than 15
Between 21 and 24
ISO 22157-1:2019
Compression Parallel: Specimen Length
Equal to culm diameter (D)
Equal to culm diameter (D), but not to exceed 150 mm
ISO 22157-1:2019
Moisture Content: Specimen Thickness
25 mm long along the culm
25 mm thick disk
ISO 22157-1:2019
Shear Test: Specimen Type
Single block shear specimen with a shearing lip.
Two options: A preferred notched specimen from the culm wall or an unnotched block.
ISO 22157-1:2019
Bending Test: Loading Point Distance
Loading points at one-third of the span from the supports.
Loading points at one-third of the span from the supports.
ISO 22157-1:2019
Test Condition: Temperature
27 ± 2 °C
20 ± 2 °C (temperate) or 27 ± 2 °C (tropical)
ISO 22157-1:2019
Loading Rate (Compression Parallel)
Rate adjusted to cause failure in approx. 10 minutes (formula provided).
Constant rate of displacement, e.g., 0.003 mm/mm/min.
ISO 22157-1:2019
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values5
Quick Reference Values
Oven drying temperature for moisture content103 ± 2 °C
Specimen length for compression test (culm)10 times the least dimension
Span for static bending test28 times the thickness of the specimen
Rate of loading for static bending test0.6 mm/min
Specimen size for compression test (from strips)2.5 cm x 2.5 cm x 10 cm
Key Formulas
Moisture Content (%) = [(W - Wo) / Wo] * 100
Density = Mass / Volume
Compressive Strength = Maximum Load / Cross-sectional Area
Modulus of Rupture (MOR) = (P_max * L) / (4 * Z)
Modulus of Elasticity (MOE) = (P1 * L^3) / (48 * I * y1)
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
No tables data
Key Clauses
Clause 4 - Determination of Moisture Content
Clause 5 - Determination of Density
Clause 6 - Test for Compressive Strength Parallel to Grain
Clause 7 - Test for Static Bending
Clause 9 - Test for Shear Strength
Frequently Asked Questions4
What is the standard method for determining moisture content in bamboo?+
The oven-drying method, where a specimen is dried at 103 ± 2 °C until it reaches a constant weight (Clause 4).
Does this code provide design strength values for bamboo?+
No, this is a testing method code. It provides the procedure to find the strength values from a given sample. For design values, refer to design guides or codes like IS 15921.
How is the compressive strength parallel to the grain determined?+
By crushing a specimen of specified size (e.g., length 10x least dimension for culms) in a UTM and recording the maximum load (Clause 6).
What is the specified span-to-depth ratio for the static bending test?+
The span should be 28 times the thickness (depth) of the test specimen (Clause 7.1).