Bamboo

Chapter 2
Literature Review
2.1

Bamboo

2.1.1 Introduction
Bamboo is one of the oldest building materials used by mankind [7]. The bamboo culm, or stem, has been made into an extended diversity of products ranging from domestic household products to industrial applications. Examples of bamboo products are food containers, skewers, chopsticks, handicrafts, toys, furniture, flooring, pulp and paper, boats, charcoal, musical instruments and weapons. In Asia, bamboo is quite common for bridges, scaffolding and housing, but it is usually a temporary exterior structural material. In many overly populated regions of the tropics, certain bamboos supply the one suitable material that is sufficiently cheap and plentiful to meet the extensive need for economical housing [17]. Bamboo shoots are an important source of food, and a delicacy in
Asia. In addition to its more common applications, bamboo has other uses [30], from skyscraper scaffolding and phonograph needles to slide rules, skins of airplanes, and diesel fuels. Extractives from various parts of the plant have been used for hair and skin ointment, medicine for asthma, eyewash, potions for lovers and poison for rivals. Bamboo ashes are used to polish jewels and manufacture electrical batteries. It has been used in bicycles, dirigibles, windmills, scales, retaining walls, ropes, cables and filament in the first light bulb. Indeed, bamboo has many applications beyond imagination. Its uses are broad and plentiful.

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With the advancement of science and technology and the tight supply of timber, new methods are needed for the processing of bamboo to make it more durable and more usable in terms of building materials. Studies have been done on the basic properties [3-7], and processing bamboo into various kinds of composite products [9-15]. More studies are needed to aid and promote its application in the modern world.
Some information on the basic properties of Calcutta bamboo were documented, however its properties

References: 1. Abd.Latif, M. 1993. Effects of age and height of three bamboo species on their machining properties 2. Abd.Latif, M., and O. Abd.Razak. 1991. Availability, distribution of bamboo and its industrial status in Peninsular Malaysia 3. Abd.Latif, M., A.Ashaari, K. Jamaludin, and J. Mohd. Zin. 1993. Effects of anatomical characteristics on the physical and mechanical properties of Bambusa 4. Abd.Latif, M., K.C. Khoo, and M.A. Nor Azah. 1991. Carbohydrates in some natural stand bamboos 5. Abd.Latif, M., and M. Mohd. Tamizi. 1993. Variation in anatomical properties of three Malaysian bamboos from natural stands 6. Abd.Latif, M., M. Mohd. Tamizi, S. Mohd. Rashid, and M. Mohd.Shukari. 1988. Workshop. Bamboos Current Research. Cochin, India. November 14-18. Pp. 223230. 7. Abd.Latif, M., W.A. Wan Tarmeze, and A. Fauzidah. 1990. Anatomical features and mechanical properties of three Malaysian bamboos 8. Aminuddin, M., M. Abd.Latif. 1991. Bamboo in Malaysia: Past, present and future research 9. Chew, L.T., S. Rahim, and K. Jamaludin. 1992. Bambusa vulgaris for urea and cement-bonded particleboard manufacture 10. Heng, X., T. Chiaki, N. Tetsuya, and K. Hiroyuki. 1998. Mechanical properties of plywood reinforced by bamboo or jute 11. Tomalang, F.N., A.R. Lopez, J.A. Semara, R.F. Casin, and Z.B. Espiloy. 1980. Properties and utilization of Philippine erect bamboo. In International Seminar on Bamboo Research in Asia held in Singapore, May 28-30, 1980: proceedings 12. Lee, A.W.C., B. Xuesong, and P.B. Audiman. 1997. Flexural properties of bambooreinforced southern pine OSB beams. Forest Prod.J. 47(6): 74-78. 13. Lee, A.W.C., B. Xuesong, and N.P. Perry. 1996. Physical and mechanical properties of strandboard made from moso bamboo 14. Lee, A.W.C., B. Xuesong, and N.P. Perry. 1994. Selected physical and mechanical properties of giant timber bamboo grown in South Carolina 15. Rahim, S., M. Abd.Latif, and K. Jamaludin. 1996. Cement bonded boards from Bambusa vulgaris 16. Tod, R. 1998. Stronger-than-steel bamboo gets a new look. Woodshop news. 17. McClure, F.A. 1967. The bamboos, A fresh perspective. Harvard University Press. 18. Chapman, G.P. 1996. The biology of grasses. Department of Biochemistry and Biological Sciences, Wye College, University of London, U.K. 19. Chapman, G.P. 1997. The bamboos. Papers presented at an international symposium organized by the Linnean Society of London 20. Wang, D. and S.J. Shen. 1987. Bamboos of China. Timber Press, Portland, Oregon. 21. Anon. (1972). The use of bamboo and reeds in building construction. Department of Economic and Social Affairs 22. Grosser, D., and W. Liese. 1971. On the anatomy of Asian bamboos, with special reference to their vascular bundles 23. Wong, K.M. 1995. The bamboos of Peninsular Malaysia. Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) in collaboration with Forest Research Centre, Forestry 24. Dransfield, S. 1992. The bamboos of Sabah. Herbarium, Royal Botanic Garden, Kew, U.K 27. Wise, L.E., M. Murphy, and A.A. D’Addieco. 1946. Chlorite holocellulose, its fractionation and bearing on summative wood analysis and on studies on the 30. Farrelly, D. 1984. The book of bamboo. Sierra Club Books, San Francisco, California. 31. Haygreen, J.G., and J.L. Bowyer. 1998. Forest products and wood science. An introduction, Iowa State University Press/Ames 32. American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM). 1997. Standard test methods for specific gravity of wood and wood-based materials Standards Des. D 2395-93 (Reapproved 1997) Vol –4.10. Philadelphia, PA. 33. Janssen, J.J.A. 1995. Building with bamboo, A handbook. Intermediate Technology Publications, London, U.K 34. Parameswaran, N., and W. Liese. 1976. On the fine structure of bamboo fibres. Wood Sci.Technol 35. Boehler, J.P. 1993. Failure criteria of structured media. Proceeding of the CNRS International Colloquium No 351 36. Tewari, D.N. 1992. A monograph on bamboo. International Book Distribution, Dehra