Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The effect of densification on physical and mechanical properties of bamboo Dendrocalamus asper

  • Original Article
  • Published:
European Journal of Wood and Wood Products Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In this work, the physical and mechanical properties of laminated and densified bamboo elements for use in structural panels were assessed. The physical properties, such as apparent density, water absorption, swelling in radial and tangential directions, the effect of wet–dry cycles on dimensional stability and, surface roughness for un-densified and densified samples before and after wet–dry cycles were studied. Three-point bending tests were also carried out to measure the modulus of elasticity (MOE) and the modulus of rupture (MOR), which was correlated to the fiber distribution profile obtained from image processing of un-densified and densified bamboo samples. In addition, the effect of the bamboo skin (outer layer) on the properties of densified samples was evaluated. The dimensional changes during the wet–dry cycles test started to stabilize after one cycle for un-densified samples and after three to four cycles for the densified samples. The roughness test showed a meaningful variation of surface roughness after one wet–dry cycle for all the samples. The results indicated that densification of bamboo to 34% of densification degree improves both MOR and MOE by up to 81.3% and 36.1%, respectively but sacrifices dimensional stability. Last but not least, it was demonstrated that maintaining the bamboo skin has a positive impact on the all-mentioned analysis and reduces processing steps/costs for the production of high-performance bamboo elements.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16
Fig. 17

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Archila-Santos HF, Ansell MP, Walker P (2014) Elastic properties of thermo-hydro-mechanically modified bamboo (Guadua angustifolia Kunth) measured in tension. Key Eng Mater 600:111–120. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.600.111

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ASTM, D143-14 (2014) Standard test methods for small clear specimens of timber. American Society for Testing and Materials, West Conshohocken

    Google Scholar 

  • ASTM, D7264-07 (2007) Standard test method for flexural properties of polymer matrix composite materials. American Society for Testing and Materials, West Conshohocken

    Google Scholar 

  • Azadeh A, Ghavami K (2018) The influence of heat on shrinkage and water absorption of Dendrocalamus giganteus bamboo as a functionally graded material. Constr Build Mater 186:145–154

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Azadeh A, Ghavami K, García JJ (2021a) The influence of heat on mechanical properties of Dendrocalamus giganteus bamboo. J Build Eng 43:102613

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Azadeh A, Ghavami K, Savastano Junior H et al (2021b) Static flexural behavior of bamboo as a functionally graded material and the effect of heat on dynamic flexural modulus. J Build Eng 34:101949. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2020.101949

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bredenoord J (2017) Sustainable building materials for low-cost housing and the challenges facing their technological developments: examples and lessons regarding bamboo, earth-block technologies, building blocks of recycled materials, and improved concrete panels. J Archit Eng Technol 06:1–10. https://doi.org/10.4172/2168-9717.1000187

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • BS EN ISO 4287:2000 (2000) Geometrical product specification—surface texture: profile method—terms, definitions and surface texture parameters. British Standards Institution

  • BS EN ISO 4288:1998 (1998) Geometrical product specification—surface texture: profile method—rules and procedures for the assessment of surface texture. British Standards Institution

  • Chaowana P, Barbu MC (2017) Bamboo: potential material for biocomposites. In: Jawaid M, Md Tahir P, Saba N (eds) Lignocellulosic fibre and biomass-based composite materials: processing, properties and applications. Woodhead Publishing, UK, pp 259–289

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Dixon PG, Semple KE, Kutnar A et al (2016) Comparison of the flexural behavior of natural and thermo-hydro-mechanically densified Moso bamboo. Eur J Wood Prod 74:633–642. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00107-016-1047-9

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gauss C, Kadivar M, Savastano H (2019) Effect of disodium octaborate tetrahydrate on the mechanical properties of Dendrocalamus asper bamboo treated by vacuum/pressure method. J Wood Sci 65:27. https://doi.org/10.1186/s10086-019-1804-6

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gauss C, Harries KA, Kadivar M et al (2020) Quality assessment and mechanical characterization of preservative-treated Moso bamboo (P. edulis). Eur J Wood Prod 78:257–270. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00107-020-01508-x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ghavami K (2016) Introduction to nonconventional materials and an historic retrospective of the field. Nonconv Vernac Constr Mater Charact Prop Appl. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-102704-2.00002-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ghavami K, Azadeh A (2015) New approach in image processing for bamboo fiber distribution as functionally graded material (FGM). III Seminário Nacional do Bambu da Rede Brasileira do Bambu-Goiânia. Universidade Estadual de Goiás, Goiânia, pp 22–31

    Google Scholar 

  • Gibson LJ, Dixon PG (2014) The structure and mechanics of Moso bamboo material. J R Soc Interface 11(2014):0321. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsif

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hidalgo-López O (2003) Bamboo the gift of the gods. D’Vinni Ltda, Bogotá, Colômbia

  • ISO 22157:2019 (2019) Bamboo structures—determination of physical and mechanical properties of bamboo culms—test methods, Geneva

  • Kadivar M, Gauss C, Mármol G et al (2019a) The influence of the initial moisture content on densification process of D. asper bamboo: physical-chemical and bending characterization. Constr Build Mater 229:116896. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.116896

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kadivar M, Gauss C, Savastano H et al (2019b) Physical properties of thermo-hydro- mechanically (Thm) flattened and densified bamboo (Moso and Dendrocalamus asper). XVIII Brazil MRS Meet–Proc, pp 2620–2622

  • Kadivar M, Gauss C, Ghavami K, Savastano H Jr (2020) Densification of bamboo: state of the art. Materials (Basel) 13:4346. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13194346

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liese W, Köhl M (2015) Bamboo: the plant and its uses. Springer, New York

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Richard MJ (2013) Assessing the performance of bamboo structural components. Doctoral dissertation, University of Pittsburgh

  • Semple KE, Kamke FA, Kutnar A, Smith GD (2013) Exploratory thermal-hydro-mechanical modification (THM) of Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens Mazel). In: Medved S, Kutnar A (eds) Characterization of modified wood in relation to wood bonding and coating performance. Proc. COST FP0904 & FP1006 international workshop, October 16–18, Rogla, Slovenia, pp 220–227

  • Sharma B, Gatoo A, Bock M et al (2015a) Engineered bamboo: state of the art. Proc Inst Civ Eng Constr Mater 168:57–67. https://doi.org/10.1680/coma.14.00020

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sharma B, Gatóo A, Bock M, Ramage M (2015b) Engineered bamboo for structural applications. Constr Build Mater 81:66–73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2015.01.077

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Takagi H, Mizobuchi A, Kusano K, Okitsu Y (2008) Flexural properties of all bamboo green composites. WIT Trans Built Environ 97:167–173. https://doi.org/10.2495/HPSM080181

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tanaka K, Inoue M, Fujihara H et al (2006) Development of bamboo connector strengthened by densified technique. In: 9th World Conf Timber Eng 2006, WCTE 2006, vol 2, pp 976–983

  • Xiao Y, Shan B, Yang RZ et al (2014) Glue laminated bamboo (GluBam) for structural applications. Materials and joints in timber structures. Springer, New York, pp 589–601

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Yap Thai Ming C, King Jye W, Ahmad Israr Ahmad H (2017) Mechanical properties of bamboo and bamboo composites: a review. J Adv Res Mater Sci 35:7–26

    Google Scholar 

  • Yu Y, Wang H, Lu F et al (2014) Bamboo fibers for composite applications: a mechanical and morphological investigation. J Mater Sci 49:2559–2566. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-013-7951-z

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

A. Azadeh and M. Kadivar thank the financial support from São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP Grant 2018/25011-9 and 2020/00827-6, respectively), H. Savastano Junior is also thankful to Brazilian National Agency CNPq for the financial aid (Grant 307723/2017-8). All the authors gratefully acknowledge the Construction and Ambiance /USP laboratories for the availability of the required infrastructure for doing the experiments. The FZEA/USP staffs are also sincerely acknowledged for their kind assistance in the bamboo harvesting process.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biosystems Engineering, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, SP, Brazil

    Arash Azadeh, Adriana Dominique de Sá, Marzieh Kadivar & Holmer Savastano Junior

  2. School of Engineering, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand

    Christian Gauss

Authors
  1. Arash Azadeh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Adriana Dominique de Sá
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Marzieh Kadivar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Christian Gauss
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Holmer Savastano Junior
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Arash Azadeh.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Azadeh, A., de Sá, A.D., Kadivar, M. et al. The effect of densification on physical and mechanical properties of bamboo Dendrocalamus asper. Eur. J. Wood Prod. 80, 877–888 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00107-022-01823-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00107-022-01823-5

Search

Navigation