Bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris Schrad.) from Moist Forest and Derived Savanna Locations in South West Nigeria – Properties and Gluability

Abstract

Bamboo culms of Bambusa vulgaris Schrad. were collected from two locations in moist forests and two sites in derived Savanna zones in South West Nigeria. The study involved chemical analyses, density variability, bonding tests, gluability tests, and measurements of bending strength of the bamboo in addition to durability testing with decay fungi and treatability of glued boards with a copper-based wood preservative. Chemical analyses showed a uniform composition of the bamboo with a cellulose content of 45 to 47.5% and a lignin content of 23 to 25.6% as the predominant chemical constituents. An average wood density of 700 kg/m 3 was a prerequisite for high mechanical strength. The moduli of elasticity were high and exceeded 14 kN/mm 2 for bamboo boards and 13 kN/mm 2 for finger joints. Bamboo boards from all growth sites showed high moduli of rupture in the range of 150 to 166 N/mm 2 and 72.9 to 94.7 N/mm 2 for boards and finger joints, respectively. Bamboo from the four sites showed variable mass loss with the EN-113 (1996) test method, which classifies this biomass as a moderately to non-durable plant material. White rot fungus (Trametes versicolor) caused the highest mass losses (11.2 to 16.8%). The bamboo showed good treatability using a 500-kg/m 3 solution of a copper-based preservative.

Effect of adhesive quantity on selected physico-mechanical properties of Bamboo glulam

“…Anokye et al (2016) reported the basic density of bamboo material to be in the range of 0,4 to 0,9 g/cm 3 . Ogunsanwo et al (2015) also reported an average density value of 666,8 kg/m 3 for Bambusa vulgaris samples taken from the moist forest zone of Nigeria. The value obtained in this study is similar to the study of Ogunsanwo et al (2015), but less by 0,49 %.…”

“…Ogunsanwo et al (2015) also reported an average density value of 666,8 kg/m 3 for Bambusa vulgaris samples taken from the moist forest zone of Nigeria. The value obtained in this study is similar to the study of Ogunsanwo et al (2015), but less by 0,49 %. Despite the change in the density of the samples, statistical analysis showed no significant difference in the mean density of the samples as shown in Table 1.…”

“…The problem of deforestation is a long standing one confronting the forestry sector, coupled with the increasing scarcity of the commonly used species in tropical forests. This therefore necessitates the need to conduct intensive researches into the potentials of lesser used wood species or alternative woody materials in order to address the problems of wood shortages and relieve the pressure on the economic timber species (Ogunsanwo et al 2015). One of such important woody species currently gaining attention worldwide is bamboo.…”

“…While bamboo has gained wide recognition in the Asian countries, serving as a major raw material in the Asian wood industry, its importance still remains marginal in Africa. It is mainly used for scaffolding in Africa, with only a small volume of it being used for this purpose (Ogunsanwo et al 2015). With the abundance of bamboo in countries such as Nigeria, the manufacture of glued products in the country remains insignificant (Ogunsanwo et al 2015).…”

“…It is mainly used for scaffolding in Africa, with only a small volume of it being used for this purpose (Ogunsanwo et al 2015). With the abundance of bamboo in countries such as Nigeria, the manufacture of glued products in the country remains insignificant (Ogunsanwo et al 2015). This should not be, due to the potential contributions such products can have on the economy as well as how important they can help in alleviating the problem of deforestation.…”