Properties of some Bamboo Culms Planted at the Royal Agricultural Station Angkhang

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to determine the physical and mechanical properties from bamboos planted at the Royal Agricultural Station Angkhang, Chiang Mai. The specimens were consisted of 3 years old of 4 bamboo species, i.e. Bambusa oldhamii, Dendrocalamus latiflorus, Dendrocalamus brandisii and Dendrocalamus hamiltonii. The results indicated that culm properties varied between species of bamboo variables (culm length, internodes length, diameter at breast height and culm wall thickness). D.hamiltonii had highest properties but lowest moisture content after cutting. On the other hand, B. oldhamii had the highest moisture content after cutting. All of the specimens of bamboos were cut and dried by air seasoning for 75 days until approaching equilibrium moisture content (EMC). Strength of bamboos, in terms of compression and shearing parallel to grain, Modulus of Rupture (MOR) and Modulus of Elasticity (MOE) showed that B.hamiltonii had highest strength. Comparison of mechanical properties of bamboo between wet and dry culm conditions, the results showed that dry culm condition had better mechanical properties than those of wet culm condition.

Keywords: culm properties, Bambusa oldhamii, Dendrocalamus latiflorus, Dendrocalamus brandisii, Dendrocalamus hamiltonii