A model to predict strength properties of bamboo

Hundreds of thousands of people live in the rural areas of bamboo-growing countries. It is these people who predominantly use bamboo for construction. Yet, they are far away from the assistance of a laboratory to determine the strength properties of the bamboo being used for building their homes. In finding a remedy to this situation, two issues have to be borne in mind: (1) the current scientific knowledge on the subject has to be applied to find a method that does not require the technical tools used in laboratories; (2) the method has to be translated to a level at which it would be clearly understood by the rural people. Solving these two issues is not an easy proposition; this paper is an attempt to solve the two issues. Very simple tests are proposed to determine some properties, like the E-modulus, followed by some rules that would help deduce other mechanical properties.