Physical and Mechanical Properties of Some Thai Bamboos for House Construction Thailand | 26/04/2024

The study was conducted to determine the physical and mechanical properties for house construction of five bamboo species: Pai Hok (Dendrocalamus hamiltonii Nees et Arn. Ex Munro), Pai Pa (Bambusa bambos (L) Voss), Pai Ruak Yai (Thyrsostachys oliveri Gamble), Pai Ruak Lek (Thyrsostachys siamensis Gamble), and Pai Lammalok (Dendrocalamus longispathus Kurz), harvested from Maehongson and Kanchanaburi Provinces.
The highest shrinkage and fiber saturation point were found in B. bambos. This bamboo species also exhibited the highest static bending strength followed by T. siamensis, T. oliveri, D. longispathus and D. hamiltonii. The mechanical properties of these five bamboo species were found to be at about the same level compared to those exhibited in the previous studies, as well as to some hardwoods such as Dipterocarps. Therefore, these five bamboo species could be used as a general utility timber for housing components due to their culm form and the bending properties.

Keywords: Dendrocalamus hamiltonii Nees et Arn. Ex Munro, Bambusa bambos (L) Voss, Thyrsostachys oliveri Gamble, Thyrsostachys siamensis Gamble, Dendrocalamus longispathus Kurz, physical properties, mechanical properties, bamboo