Abstract
Rattan is a hygro-deformation material that exhibits changes in shape in response to fluctuations in ambient relative humidity, which significantly impacts its utilization and storage. However, the unique anatomical structure and shape of rattan present challenges for accurately studying its moisture-induced deformation. In this study, we investigated the shrinking and swelling of rattan cross-sections using high-resolution microscopy combined with digital image correlation techniques to assess strain variations and overall deformation patterns from the epidermis to the core. The results revealed a gradient distribution in the shrinking and swelling of rattan. Hygro-deformation decreased radially from the epidermis toward the core, with the highest strains observed in the cortex, which was characterized by high fiber content and larger wall cavities. The rattan showed transverse isotropy, i.e., the strain in the radial and tangential directions was almost the same regardless of the position. We further examined the effects of gradient structure and shape constraints on rattan deformation by evaluating full-field strain after removing the rattan epidermis and cutting the rattan in half. After removing the epidermis, the strain between the cortex and the middle decreased, ranging from approximately 213 to 300 µm along the radial direction. In contrast, cutting the rattan in half eliminated shape constraints and modified the full-field strain distribution. These findings enhance the understanding of the shrinking and swelling patterns of rattan and offer strategies to mitigate the effects of moisture deformation in practical applications.
Published Version
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