Physical and mechanical properties of glued laminated bamboo

Abstract

Certain bamboo species have mechanical properties that are compatible with construction material. Despite this, their low shear strength, the presence of nodes in their culms, and their circular geometry inhibit the expansion of the use of this material as construction material. One technique that can solve these problems is glued laminated bamboo (GLB). Based on such findings, this paper aims to evaluate the physical and mechanical properties of glued laminated bamboo of the Dendrocalamus giganteus species. Two glues were used: resorcinol-formaldehyde (PRF) and polyvinyl acetate (PVAc). The following physical and mechanical characterization tests were performed on glued laminated bamboo: water absorption, density, compression parallel to fiber direction, tension parallel to fiber direction, shear parallel to the glue layer, shear parallel to fiber direction, and bending. The results, analyzed using statistical models, showed that the GLB has physical and mechanical properties comparable to those of hardwoods.