Influence of Moisture Content on Mechanical Properties of Bamboo Scrimber

Abstract

Bamboo scrimber is a new type of composite bamboo lumber. Its mechanical properties, for example, flexural strength parallel to grain, are superior to that of untreated bamboo lumber, and it can be used in many fields of construction. When employed outdoors, construction materials will be exposed to water in the form of rain and air humidity, and their moisture content (MC) will change constantly. It is therefore important to understand the influence of MC on the expansion rate, flexural strength parallel to grain, flexural modulus, and stiffness of bamboo scrimber. The results of this study show that the expansion in width and thickness of bamboo scrimber increases logarithmically with an increase in MC. The flexural strength parallel to grain and modulus of bamboo scrimber decrease significantly with an increase in MC until the fiber saturated point (FSP) is reached; increasing the water content further results in smaller flexural strength parallel to grain and modulus reductions. The FSP of the bamboo scrimber obtained in this study is 19.9%.