Papers by Keyword: Bamboo

Abstract: In this work, jute and bamboo fiber is used as reinforcement to prepare hybrid composites. The alkali treatment of both the fibers are carried out and the strength of composites prepared with the alkali treated fiber is compared with the composites made from untreated fibers. The bamboo fibers are chopped and pulverized and added to matrix while the jute fiber is used in continuous form. Tensile, flexural, impact, hardness, thermal absorptivity test is carried along with the flammability test. The tensile strength of jute –bamboo-epoxy composite (JBEC) with untreated fibers is observed to be 12.21 MPa while the tensile strength of jute-epoxy composite (JEC) with untreated fiber composite is observed to be 11.72 MPa. Further, the alkali treatment of fiber increases the tensile strength of both the JEC and JBEC by 8%. About 11.12% rise in tensile strength in JEC and 14.35% rise in JBEC is observed due to alkali treatment of fibers. JBEC with alkali treated fibers [JBEC(AT)] shows 42.5HV hardness, while JBEC shows the hardness of 40.2HV. The hardness of JEC increased from 31.3HV to 35.5HV due to alkali treatment. JBEC and JEC with alkali treated fibers [JBEC(AT), JEC (AT)] shows higher thermal absorptivity than JBEC and JEC owing to the fact that higher thermal conductivity of bamboo fibers. The JBEC(AT) shows an ignition temperature of 301°C, while JBEC starts burning at a temperature of 285.6°C. JEC starts burning at 256.56°C and JEC burns by 248.52°C.

Abstract: The Philippines still relies heavily on oil and coal as energy fuel sources, contributing to approximately 63.21% of the energy mix. It is crucial to seek alternative feedstock that can comply with the increasing demand. This study thus investigated the energy potential of bolo (Gigantochloa levis (Blanco) Merrill) along the bottom, middle and top culm height portions, for bioenergy applications. The top culm was consistently observed to have the lowest moisture contents and the highest relative (0.4757 g/mL) and bulk (0.2003 g/mL) densities. Proximate analysis revealed a significant increase in average fixed carbon (FC) content from top (19.18%) to bottom (20.88%), while ash content showed the opposite trend, ranging from 3.59% to 5.92%. The average volatile matter (VM) content (74.90% - 75.53%) showed no significant variation along the culm. Lignin content was also analyzed and its correlation with FC and VM reveal a parabolic relationship with R² values of 0.84 and 0.63, respectively. Despite the top section having the lowest higher heating value, its higher density and lower moisture content resulted in the highest calculated energy density (8.13 GJ/m³ in chipped form), suggesting that the top portion has the best potential as a biomass energy source for direct combustion.

Abstract: The construction industry is increasingly adopting sustainable solutions, with bamboo emerging as a resilient and eco-friendly material. However, challenges persist in bamboo construction, particularly in developing effective techniques for joining bamboo poles. This study aims to evaluate the structural performance and stress distribution of 3D-printed connectors for bamboo structures. By leveraging 3D printing technology, this research seeks to improve bamboo construction methods addressing its non-uniformity, streamlining design and production, and the potential use of bio-based material. Performance evaluations were conducted through software simulations and digital image correlation (DIC) to assess the mechanical behavior of the connectors and showed 1.561mm and 1.80mm displacement, respectively. The analysis identified areas requiring refinement to enhance load-bearing capacity and optimize stress distribution. The findings suggest that the connectors are explored using different materials, geometry, and even more advanced and efficient design of structures. Furthermore, this study provides practical insights into the viability and sustainability of the integration of 3D printing technology into bamboo construction practices.

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to explore the use of laser additive manufacturing of bamboo powder to produce items with fewer variations than the traditional heat press method using a die. Although metal and resin powders are commonly used in powder additive manufacturing, bamboo powder presents unique challenges owing to its lack of material uniformity, low carbonization temperature, and dependence on pressure for adhesion. To address these issues, the appropriate laser power and irradiation time were determined by irradiating the laser at several power levels and examining its effects on the powder temperature and chemical changes during molding. The results indicated that rapid heating occurred at approximately 150 °C, and carbonization began at approximately 190 °C. As the energy loss for carbonization decreases with increasing laser power, this method is expected to be effective for producing bamboo products with fewer variations. In addition, restriction of continuous oxygen inflow by the glass plate lid makes it feasible to prevent heat generation and carbonization. Furthermore, pressurization by the glass plate makes it feasible to improve adhesion. Future research will focus on the suppression of carbonization by inert gas and heating at low temperatures for long periods of time, as well as the effects of different magnitudes of pressure on the process.

Abstract: Sandeq is a type of outrigger sailing boat used by Mandar fishermen to catch fish as well as a mode of transportation between islands. Sandeq boat has a mast made of bamboo that is called pattung. Recently, the raw material for the mast is very rare, so it is necessary to find alternative materials with equal quality and strength. In this study, numerical simulations were carried out by modeling masts made of aluminum, fiberglass and bamboo using Finite Element Method (FEM). The workload used is the maximum load of the main sail. The results showed that alternative materials that can replace bamboo are aluminum 6061 (AL 6061) and fiberglass (FRP). By applying the caseload on the Sandeq mast, it is found that the AL 6061 experiences stress with 78 MPa, and FRP experiences stress with 150 MPa. Both of these materials are suitable for use as an alternative material for the Sandeq mast with a safety factor SF ≥ 5.

Abstract: This paper considers the softening and flattening treatment of Schizostachyum Lumampao Bamboo as part of a process in its preparation for utilization. Bamboo half-culm samples with thicknesses of either 5.00 mm or 6.00 mm was soaked in palm oil at either of two temperatures (100°C or 160°C) with an application of 50 N load to simulate the flattening process for a period of either 2700 sec. (45 mins.) or 3600 sec. (60 mins.). By measuring the height of the bamboo half-culm before and after the thermal treatment, a relationship was derived between the total heat transferred into the bamboo culms and the flattening behavior. Furthermore, after the flattening, the bending strength of the culms exhibited an exponentially decaying trend and the fracture strength a bi-modal behavior which is confirmed by other studies. This study reports a derived parameter designated as the thermodynamic bending stiffness of about 4 MPa for the flattening process.

Abstract: Keywords: bamboo, micro composite, natural ferrite, reduced graphene oxideAbstract. Reduced graphene oxide/ferrite (rGO/Fe₃O₄) micro composites as radar absorber materials have been successfully synthesized from Petung bamboo (Dendrocalamus Asper) and iron sand using a mechanical mixing method. Reduced graphene oxide (rGO) as dielectric material was synthesized from Petung bamboo charcoal using the carbonization method, and Fe₃O₄ as magnetic material was synthesized from iron sand using the extraction-milling method. The as-prepared samples rGO/Fe₃O₄ (1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 2:1, 3:1 wt%) was made by dry mixing and mechanically pressed. Magnetics and morphology of samples were characterized by vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Microwave absorption was measured using a vector network analyzer (VNA) at 8 – 12 GHz. The results of measurement by using VNA showed that at the micro-scale, rGO had a higher absorption power with maximum reflection loss (RL_m) value of -12.98 dB at matching frequency (f_m) 10.15 GHz compared with Fe₃O₄ (RL_m value of -4.25 dB at f_m 10.42 GHz) at a thickness of 2 mm. The rGO/Fe₃O₄ (3:1 wt.%) microcomposites radar wave absorber shows the best absorption with maximum reflection loss (RL_m) value of −14.30 dB at matching frequency (f_m) 10.15 GHz at a thickness of 2 mm. Natural materials and the controlled rGO/Fe₃O₄ microcomposites structure with simple synthesis methods shows the great potential application in high performance microwave absorbing materials.

Abstract: One of the laminated bamboo production processes uses a bamboo planer machine. The use of this technology creates great opportunities for improving the quality of the bamboo processing process. Existing equipment still requires improvements to the power transfer mechanism and system, which affects the frame's shape. Therefore it was necessary to design and retest the frame design so that the machine can produce good shavings. The frame design comprises 50 mm × 50 mm × 5 mm angled steel with ASTM A36 material standardization. The testing method was finite element analysis (FEA) using SolidWorks. The frame was tested using static loading simulation to take mass, maximum stress, deflection, and safety factors. From the simulation, the safety factors value was 6,513. It was too high compared with the predetermined criteria, so the thickness of the frame was changed to 4 mm. The optimization increases material efficiency by 18,227% resulting in reduced frame mass to 76,576 kg. The result of the safety factor becomes 5.930. Keywords: FEA; Frame; Bamboo; Optimization; Strength Analysis; Planer Machine

Abstract: Retracted article: The technique of using small diameter whole-culm and split bamboo has been often suggested as an alternative method for concrete strengthening. Bamboo is widely available in tropical and sub-tropical locations, while the quest for a new sustainable alternative is a new and recent trend in the construction industry. Using bamboo in reinforced concrete is discussed in this paper and it is analysed as a structural and environmental alternative to steel reinforced concrete. Reinforced concrete is widely used in many countries where bamboo reinforced concrete might be used as a design alternative to determine the life cycle of reinforced concrete. However, bamboo was extraordinary material. Therefore, it is used in reinforced concrete due to significant durability and reduced stiffness problem, which positively impacts the environment. Hence, this paper discusses a review on the structural performance of bamboo reinforced concrete based on previous research.

Abstract: Bamboo construction is often related to traditional and vernacular architecture, which is found mostly in rural areas, where, for the construction, local people apply diverse techniques learned in an empirical way and passed on from generation to generation. However, in the last years, many modern constructions with bamboo have been developed around the world. At the same time, many connections have been designed for permanent and ephemerals lightweight structures. However, most of them do not have standardization and mechanical testing, because it is expensive or there are no means to do it. Therefore, it is required to create a technology classification for the most used existing connections, starting with the traditional way to join canes until the contemporary connections developed with high technology. In this context, connections are a challenge to be developed, as currently there is no normative in bamboo to follow and create standardization.