Compressive Strength and Color of Kiln Dried Moso Bamboo after Long Term Exposure

Abstract

The main purposes of this paper are to assess the basic properties of kiln dried moso bamboo(Phyllostachvs heterocycle) under external exposure for a long time and the changing of the surface color. Following conclusions are obtained through some experiments. (1) Cracks have less occurred on the kiln dried moso bamboo compared to the natural dried bamboo. (2) The compressive strength of the kiln dried moso bamboo is 30% higher than that of natural dried bamboo at that time even after 182 days exposure and can be maintained the strength for long periods. (3) The compressive strength(σ) of bamboo with node and without node become as follows; Kiln dried: σwith node ≦ σwithout node, on the other hand Natural dried: σwith node = σ without node (4) The surface of the kiln dried bamboo become clearly coated. The colors of them have changed from green to ocher and have been stable for a long time.