DIFFERENCES in STRUCTURE AND STRENGTH BETWEEN INTERNODE AND NODE SECTIONS OF MOSO BAMBOO

Bamboo node is crucial to improve stiffness and stability of the slender bamboo culm during growth. However, for industrial utilisation, there is no research report on whether the node makes an impact on mechanical properties. In this article, moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) was used to analyse the structural difference between a culm without nodes (internodes) and a culm with nodes. Two different types of samples, prepared from two different processing methods, were used to carry out this study, namely, intact and planed samples. Meanwhile, the structure of bamboo nodes was investigated to study the influence of vascular bundles in the nodes on mechanical properties of the culm. Results indicated that in both planed and non-planed samples, the node did not have a reduced effect on bending strength, longitudinal shearing strength and compressive strength. Instead, the node had a reinforced effect of different degrees. However, the node reduced the longitudinal tensile strength.