Analysis of the hydraulic characteristics of bamboo tubes, using the brazilian bamboo - species Bambusa vulgaris var. vittata

Abstract

With the growing repercussion of the impact of the use of plastic, there was the need for replacement of this material in several sectors of the economy. Among these is the civil construction industry, which has been innovating the types of materials used in conventional construction methods. Aiming at these adaptations, this study proposes to analyze the feasibility of using bamboo as a hydraulic conductor, justifying its application, especially in the communities of the interior of the state of Amazonas, where the arrival of inputs is hindered by long distances and deficient means of transportation. Bamboo samples were extracted and submitted to laboratory tests where a hydraulic system was assembled in order to determine the flow and pressure loss of the bamboo. The system relied on the use of PVC pipes and connections. To read the pressure drop and the flow rate, hoses and a hydrometer were used, respectively, where at one end there was a pump responsible for the functioning of the system and at the other end, a water tank was closed, both belonging to the hydraulic laboratory of the Federal Institute of Amazonas. The data collected in the test were analyzed and used in the Hazen-Williams equation that resulted in the coefficient of roughness C which, for the bamboo, the value obtained was 103.15. Through the study developed, it is possible to design and apply bamboo pipes according to the ABNT NBR-5626 criteria.