This study investigated the mechanical performance of 120 laminated bamboo column specimens under axial compression. Experimental and computational investigations were conducted on axially loaded laminated bamboo columns. The load-deflection and load-strain relationships were obtained from column tests, and the detailed failure modes for all specimens are reported. Squashing or crushing failures were observed for the short columns, and bearing capacity of for the short columns is found to be determined mainly by the compressive strength of the material. However, buckling failures were observed for the longer columns, and the failures involved significant lateral deflection. Deflection caused by initial defects influences the bearing capacity of the specimens more and more obviously as the slenderness ratio increases, and the bigger the slenderness ratio, the bigger the lateral deflection corresponding with the peak load. The variation of ultimate lateral strain and longitudinal strain versus slenderness ratio was also studied. Comparison between the test results, theoretical calculations, and FEM analysis results are reported. An equation for calculating the stability coefficient phi of laminated bamboo columns is proposed. The loading capacities obtained from the equation gives good agreement with the test results. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.