A Study on the Mechanical Strength Properties of Bamboo to Enhance Its Diversification on Its Utilization

The research is focused on the study of mechanical strength properties of bamboo to establish if bamboo would play a complementary role to wood in both furniture making and construction works as a sustainable material for the wood industries. The research also highlighted the dwindling supply of wood as a main source of material for furniture and construction works in Zimbabwe due to fire destruction of timber plantations. The study investigated on the mechanical properties of the bamboo in Zimbabwe aiming at assessing its suitability .The study showed that there is need for additional resources of material to complement wood. Experiments carried out on the strength properties to include tensile, compressive, bending, stiffness, elasticity, hardness and durability of bamboo to resist different forces or loads on structural members. Results showed that the strength properties of bamboo are higher than most of the soft and hard woods. The study also indicated that different species of solid bamboo is available in Zimbabwe. The research revealed out that solid and hollow bamboo can equally be utilized for both furniture products and construction works. The researcher used observations, interviews and experiments for collecting data .The paper concludes by encouraging schools, colleges , small to medium enterprises and wood industries on the utilization of bamboo as a complementary resource material for furniture and construction works in view of qualifying strength properties and resource sustainability , renewable and availability in Zimbabwe and bamboo plantations to start in all