Wednesday September 3

Please read the ISO testing standards before class.  Then during class time we will discuss the standards and discuss general properties.

Outline of Class presented by Pablo Acevedo:

1. Structure of culm, with different regions from bottom to top
2. Density, and discussion of relative density to water, steel, and concrete
3. Humidity Content
4. Cross sectional morphology, w.r.t. Radius and height
5. Fiber saturation point? Energy? Electrical conductivity?
6. Colombian construction code: HC = 12%
7. Relationship to HC and location/available environmental moisture
8. Material memory? [Not the same as linear expansion and contraction]
9. Differences in density of fibers among different species; relationship of splitting force vs. fiber density
   
   *** IN GENERAL: can we predict mechanical properties of bamboo vs. its density, fiber density, fiber size, etc.
   
   
10. Bamboo achieves it optimal strength after 4-6 years
11. Soil fertility, composition, quality, and structure; importance of organic material
12. Topography and effect of elevation on bamboo growth
13. Basic mechanical properties of bamboo, with comparisons to steel and concrete

References: Chapters 1, 3, and 6 of Hidalgo López.