This study aims to investigate physical characteristic, mechanical properties, and chemical composition of heat-treated bamboo scrimber. Specimens were heated at 50-230°C in laboratory conditions for 2 h. Test results of heat treatment samples were compared with the controls. Moisture absorption decreased slightly and then increased as temperature increased. It was probably due to changes of crystallinity and chemical structure. Mechanical properties varied greatly according to different temperature levels. Failure types reflected treatment temperature to some extent. Compressive strength reached a maximum when fiber bundles fractured neatly at 170°C, which is a turning point for physical, mechanical, and chemical properties under this heat treatment condition. Increasing mechanical properties of bamboo scrimber after heat treatment was due to solidification of phenolic resin.

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Ten groups of bamboo scrimber samples between 0°(parallel to the grain) and 90°(perpendicular to the grain) were chosen for compression test. The effect of different angles between load and grain on compressive properties of bamboo scrimber was studied. Fold failure, shearing failure and crushing failure were observed at 0-10°, 20-50°and 60-90°, respectively. From 0 to 90°, average ultimate strength and proportional limit strength decreased from 133.4 to 25.7 MPa and 113.9 to 14.9 MPa. The predictive accuracy of the Hankinson formula was higher comparing to the result of GB 50005 formula. The Norris criterion was inclusive for the majority of the testing values, making it secure during application. Furthermore, compressive properties could be predicted using maximum stress theory, which adequately explained the cause of different failure types for longitudinal compression strength, shear strength and transverse compressive strength. The study of strength models now provides a theoretical foundation for the rational use of bamboo scrimber.