VARIABILITY STUDIES ON STRENGTH AND FIBRE PROPERTIES OF Bambusa vulgaris Schrad. FOR PANEL PRODUCTS

A variability study on strength and fibre properties of bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris) was investigated in this study. Bamboo bole length of two geographical locations (Ibadan and Ilorin) at percentage of (10, 30, 50, 70 and 90) were used to determine the fibre properties such as fibre length, fibre diameter, lumen width, cell wall thickness, runkel ratio, flexibility coefficient and relative fibre length. The strength properties of bamboolaminated boards were also investigated in this study with the effect of different variable factors, such as the adhesive type (Top bond and Urea formaldehyderide), bole portion (top, middle and base) and bole thickness size (5mm x 20mm and 10mm x 20mm). Mechanical properties, such as the modulus of rupture, impact bending strength, compression strength, shear strength in both parallel and perpendicular direction were determined. The results show that there is potential for using bamboo for the production of paper and as building and structural material.