Microscopic Analysis of Bamboo Pieces and Its Relation to Compression Resistance

Abstract

Bamboo has been identified as a structural element capable of satisfactorily absorbing tension and compression stresses, and, to a lesser proportion, parallel shear along its fibers, as well as bending with possibility of usage in buildings and as viable ecological alternative. The ultrastructure of the bamboo, from the Guadua Velutina species, obtained from the Vega Rica ejido in El Higo, Veracruz, Mexico, was characterized It was characterized the ultra structure of the bamboo, of the species Guadua velutina, obtained of the Ejido Vega Rica of the municipality El Higo, Veracruz, Mexico for use in the industry of the construction. Previously, pieces were tested to determine their mechanical properties: compression and shear parallel to the fiber, following the standards indicated in the methodology. Subsequently, the microscopic analysis of longitudinal and transverse sections of this anisotropic material, with variable porosity in its walls, was carried out. It was found that the arrangement and shape of its fibers that give rise to its porosity is correlated with its resistance to the different stresses to which it is subjected and that its porosity also decreases in joints zones, where its fibers have no defined direction. These findings are important because they make it possible to recognize the durability of the material in such a way that they can be considered in the construction of structural elements.