Bamboo as future bio-industrial material: Physical behaviour and bending strength of Malaysia’s Beting bamboo (Gigantochloa levis)

Abstract In this paper, bending strength and physical properties (specific gravity, dimensional stability equilibrium moisture content) of a Malaysian bamboo locally known as Beting (Gigantochloa levis) are addressed. Characterizations G. levis in terms the variability location along culm height (top, middle, bottom), section (nodes internodes), fiber orientation (longitudinal, tangential radial) layer (outer inner) were conducted. Comparison these is also made to some commercial timber species. It was found that has favorable mechanical although specific gravity tendency be on higher side. The characteristics studied have at different locations, sections, directions. There with bamboo. indicated from study satisfactory.