Research of bamboo qualitative material tactile characteristics

In this study, the semantic differential method was employed for investigating the tactile properties of bamboo qualitative material, such as bamboo integrated timber (vertical splicing plate), bamboo integrated timber (transverse splice plates), bamboo parallel strand lumber, whole bamboo unfolding plate (outer of bamboo), whole bamboo unfolding plate (remove outer of bamboo), bamboo plastic composite plate, while Liquidambar formosana and Abies fabri (Mast) were selected as contrast. Respondents rated the samples by descriptive words, such as natural, exclusive, eco-friendly, rough, inexpensive, reliable, warm, modern, snug, and solid. Moreover, statistical analysis was employed for analyzing the data. The results showed that material and tactile characteristics exhibit significant correlation. Principal component analysis yielded four attributes based on tactile perceptions. Summing up the main points of the experiment, the tactile properties of different bamboo qualitative material were obtained.

Investigation on withdrawal resistance of screws in reconstituted bamboo lumber

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of screw diameter, pilot hole diameter, screw type and loading rate on the withdrawal resistance of some screws in reconstituted bamboo lumber (RBL) and comparison of screw withdrawal resistance in RBL with MDF and Particleboard. Results indicate that there were no significant differences among withdrawal resistance with screw diameter, screw type and loading rate. Significant differences were found between withdrawal resistance with pilot hole diameter. Screw withdrawal resistance decreased with increasing pilot hole diameter. Suggested size of pilot hole is 60-85 % of the nominal screw diameter. The withdrawal resistances in the face and edge of RBL are greater than the end direction. This reveled RBL is anisotropic. Face and edge withdrawal resistances of screws in RBL were higher as compared with those of MDF and particleboard. This indicates that withdrawal resistance of RBL meets the requirements of furniture structure design.