Papers by Author: Shahril Anuar Bahari

Abstract: In this study, composite lumber from a combination of bamboo strips and oil palm trunk veneers was produced and physically tested. The bamboo strips and oil palm trunk veneers were laid-up together alternately with two different types of layer orientation, such as parallel and cross orientations to each other. The composite lumber was pressed using hydraulic hot pressing machine at two different pressing times, such as 12 and 15 minutes. Phenol formaldehyde (PF) adhesive was used in the lamination process. Physical performance tests such as cold water delamination (CWD), hot water delamination (HWD), flexural and compression were conducted based on Japanese Agricultural Standard for LVL JAS: SE-10 [1]. Results showed that longer pressing time has increased the physical performance, except for flexural and compression performance of parallel orientation composite lumber. Cross orientation has increased the bonding strength behaviour between bamboo strips and oil palm trunk veneers, thus influenced the low delamination percentage and good modulus of elasticity value of composite lumber. Generally, this study has increased the understanding on physical performance of bamboo strips-oil palm trunk veneers composite lumber at different layer orientations and hot pressing times.

Abstract: In this study, the classification of modes of failure, the observation of microscopic failures and the mechanical properties of Semantan bamboo strips were investigated. Specimens were loaded in bending and shear parallel to grain. Specimens were taken from internodes and node parts in bottom, middle and top portions of bamboo culms. From the classification, different modes of failure occurred in different parts of Semantan bamboo culms loaded in bending and shear. From the microscopic observation, the failures occurred in both parenchyma and vascular bundles regions for all classified failure modes from all tests, except for Even Splitting Mode from shear. This mode exhibited failure in parenchyma only, without any failure in vascular bundles regions. The Maximum Stress (σml) values between failure modes for both tests were significantly different. Generally, anatomical behaviour at different culm’s parts had influenced the different modes of failure and microscopic failures of Semantan bamboo strips loaded in bending and shear.

Abstract: This paper discusses the results from a study that has been undertaken to develop a product from bamboo culm’s outer skin that was considered as wastes. Initially, by means of a simple process of gluing and pressing, bamboo panel composites were produced with Gigantochloa scortechinii bamboo skin wastes. Using existing sandwich technology, layered or sandwich panel were then produced using the bamboo skin wastes panel as the core material while plywood were used as the outer layer. The aim was to access the bending strength of the bamboo skin wastes panel, the sandwich panel and subsequently to compare them with common bamboo composites that utilized either strips or splits in their production process. Though the product has limited strength and is restricted to interior and non-structural components, it is still very well suitable for wall, doors, tabletops and shelves.