Influence of weathering on mechanical properties of culm samples of Guadua angustifolia Kunth bamboo with and without nodes

Abstract

ABSTRACT Bamboo is a lignocellulosic material traditionally and increasingly appreciated as a structural material in construction within the context of a low-carbon circular bioeconomy. Evaluating changes in its basic mechanical properties when exposed to outdoor climatic conditions is of key importance. This paper describes bamboós behavior under compressive stresses in the direction of the culm, tensile and bending, when exposed to natural environmental conditions for two years, in comparison with control samples under stable conditions in a climatic chamber during the same period. Specifically, culms of the Guadua angustifolia Kunth species were exposed to the climatic conditions of the city of Granada (southern Spain). The results attest to a decrease of up to 9% in compressive strength, yet no influence in tensile or bending strength when the silica layer is placed on the compression face. Furthermore, the node enhances stiffness near the points of load application at bending, the node area undergoing lower stress, while the maximum stress and modulus of elasticity in a tensile state are reduced. The influence of nodes in compression is not relevant.