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Abstract: The present paper is a part of an extensive study related to bamboo as a species with a great potential in wood industry, sustainable and eco-friendly. The study presents some anatomical, physical and mechanical properties of bamboo. The data were collected from the literature and compared with data for the most harvested Romanian species. The results are interesting and will open new paths for the research of this material.
Key words: Bamboo, anatomy, physical properties, mechanical properties.
1. Introduction
Bamboo is an invaluable natural resource that has awakened an ever higher interest since the 80-ies. It has an "unrivalled position in terms of diversity, distribution and uses" [15]. In the light of botany, bamboos belong to Angiosperm group, Monocot subgroup. They are fast growing species, much faster than trees, each stem usually attaining its full height in one year and hardening over the following 2-5 years [9]. They naturally grow in tropical and subtropical regions where societies developed and evolved together. Eastern and South-Eastern Asia's peoples and cultures had a close association to bamboo, which became a contributor to their civilisation. From vegetarian food to houses, furniture, blowpipes and longfibred pulp for paper making, bamboo was one of the earliest resources of existence. China is among the world's leading producers of bamboo.
In the last 20 years, peoples' concern for bamboo resources led to the formation of INBAR organisation (International Network for Bamboo & Rattan) which has the mission "to improve the well-being of producers and users of bamboo and rattan in the context of a sustainable bamboo and rattan resource base by consolidating, coordinating and supporting strategic and adaptive research and development" [32]. This network brings together organisations and individuals with similar goals, from countries with bamboo crops. 41 States of Asia, Africa, Latin America, North America and Oceania acceded to INBAR Establishment Agreement (Figure 1).
Out of the variety of bamboos, 20 species are defined as a priority for INBAR organization [33]. Not all species are appropriate for industrial uses. One of the most suitable bamboo species for manufacturing is a giant Moso Bamboo (Phylllostachys pubescens), originated from China.
In Romania, this material is not known very well. On the market, there are many importers that sell bamboo as sticks, posts...