Authors:Seyoum Kelemwork
Abstract:The main aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of growing sites on selected physical and mechanical properties of Oxytenanthera abyssinica. A total of 36 solid culms from three natural bamboo forest growing sites of Ethiopia namely Asosa, Dedesa and Pawe were harvested. The results indicate significant variation along the length of the culms and influence of geographical locations on basic density and initial moisture content. The basic density of this bamboo increases from bottom towards the middle portion and then decreased towards the top and the initial moisture content decreases from bottom towards the middle and then increased at the top. Basic density and initial moisture values varied with growing location due to environmental variations. All culms internodes were tested with and without nodes. The strength values of modulus of rupture (MOR) and the modulus of elasticity (MOE) with nodes showed decreasing trends from bottom towards the top portions. On the other hand, compression strength parallel to the grain increased from bottom to middle and then deceased towards the top. Internodes with nodes had inconsistent variation along the culms portion and growing locations. The presence of nodes highly decreased the compression strength and the MOR values. Inconsistent tangential and radial shrinkage were observed on all culms. Culms from Pawe showed low strength values and high shrinkage than culms from Asosa and Dedesa.
Keywords:growing location, culm portion, physical property, mechanical property