Selected strength properties of traded Oxytenanthera abyssinica (A. Rich.) Munro and Yushania alpina (K. Schum.) W.C.Lin (1974) bamboo in Uganda

Abstract

Bamboo is a non-wood forest product that is characterized by low specific weight, good appearance, hardness and fast growth hence a renewable resource. There are two predominant species of bamboo which are also indigenous in Uganda, namely; Yushania alpina and Oxytenanthera abyssinica. Bamboo is used for structural purposes and yet the strength properties of the predominant bamboo species Oxytenanthera abyssinica and Yushania alpina traded and utilized in Uganda are not well known, therefore its use is not optimized. This study investigated and compared the selected strength properties namely Modulus of Rupture, Modulus of Elasticity and Compressive strength parallel to the grain of the two bamboo species using experimental research design. The Modulus of Rupture was 55.3 MPa and 38.8 MPa for Oxytenanthera abyssinica and Yushania alpina respectively at 16 % moisture content, there was a significant difference in the Modulus of Rupture of Yushania alpina and Oxytenanthera abyssinica (p=0.006). The Modulus of Elasticity of Oxytenanthera abyssinica and Yushania alpina was 8990.9 MPa and 4045.7 MPa respectively at 16 % moisture content, there was a significant difference in the Modulus of Elasticity of the two species of bamboo (p=0.000). The Compressive strength parallel to the grain of Oxytenanthera abyssinica and Yushania alpina was 106.5 MPa and 65.4 MPa respectively at 12% moisture content, there was a significant difference in Compressive strength parallel to the grain of the two species of bamboo (p=0.000). The results indicated that the strength properties of bamboo favorably compare to those of common timber used for structural purposes in Uganda.