Experimental Study on the Tensile Properties of Bamboo Related to Its Distribution of Vascular Bundles

Considering bamboo as a 2-phase natural composite made up of vascular bundles (reinforcement or fiber) and matrixes (ground tissues) on the scale of micromechanics. By test of bamboo specimens and analysis of microscopic images of their cross sections, the distribution of vascular bundles along the axial and radial of bamboo culm were investigated. The relations between tensile properties of bamboo and its distribution of vascular bundles were studied. The results show that the vascular bundles are graded distributing along the radius of bamboo culm. The volume fraction of vascular bundles is larger near the outside, and attenuates rapidly to about 40 percent of that at the location away from outer side about 1/3 thickness of bamboo culm, and than slowly reduces to 0 near the inner side of culm. In axial direction, the volume fraction of vascular bundles in the bottom culm is smaller than that in the middle culm where the volume fraction is less variation, and reaches the largest value at the top culm. The tensile moduli and strength of bamboo are linearly related to the volume fraction of vascular bundles. The tensile moduli and the strength of vascular bundle are largely grater than that of matrix. The stiffness and the strength of bamboo are mainly offered by vascular bundles.