Bamboo as future bio-industrial material: Physical behaviour and bending strength of Malaysia’s Beting bamboo (Gigantochloa levis)

Abstract

Abstract In this paper, bending strength and physical properties (specific gravity, dimensional stability and equilibrium moisture content) of a Malaysian bamboo locally known as Beting bamboo (Gigantochloa levis) are addressed. Characterizations of physical and bending strength of G. levis in terms of the variability of location along culm height (top, middle, bottom), culm section (nodes and internodes), fiber orientation (longitudinal, tangential and radial) and culm layer (outer and inner) were conducted. Comparison of these properties is also made to some bamboo and commercial timber species. It was found that G. levis has favorable physical and mechanical properties although the specific gravity of G. levis has tendency to be on the higher side. The characteristics studied were found to have some variability at different locations, sections, and directions. There was variability in terms of bending strength along with the culm height of bamboo. It is indicated from this study that the bending strength and physical properties of G. levis were found to be satisfactory.