Bamboo Case Study

There has been a rapid increase in demand of Bambusa vulgaris and Dendrocalamus in the housing and construction industry, thereby tremendously increasing the economic importance of Bamboo and its resources. Extensive studies have shown that in Sri Lanka Bamboo is a very suitable material for scaffolding during construction given its durability and strength. Bamboo is an extremely stable green reinforcement building appliance, it is easily accessible and readily workable (SAITM – RSEA 2013). 4.2 Physical and mechanical properties of Bamboo
Bamboo and wood has a wide range of difference which is not only evident in their appearance but also in their physical and mechanical properties. Absence of knots or rays makes Bamboo possess more evenly distributed stresses all through its length. The anatomy of Bamboo and its hollow tube which is often with thin walls makes it rather difficult to join Bamboo that it is for wood pieces. However, Bamboo does not possess the same chemical extractives as wood which makes it easier to be glued (Jassen, 1995). According to Amada et al., the thickness, diameter and internodal length of Bamboo possess a macroscopically graded structure while the distribution of fiber shows a microscopically graded architecture resulting to favorable Bamboo properties
Chauhan, (2000) reported that the physical and mechanical properties of Bamboo vary with height of culm and the age of the Bamboo species. The increase in weight is cumulative and directly related with age. Strength properties are reported to decrease in older culms (Zhou 1981). Limaye (1948; 1952) found that older culms of Dendrocalamus strictus became 40-50 percent stronger and stiffer than the young ones. Maximum values were discovered in 3-6 year old culms. Sekhar et al. (1962) found highest values in 3-4 year old culms of Bambusa nutans (Xiaobo,