Natural weathering of bamboo scrimber: A case study on degradation of chemical and mechanical properties

초록

Bamboo scrimber as a green construction material is widely utilized in practical engineering with its durability under natural environment being of importance. The environmental durability of material is significantly influenced by climatic factors. This study investigated the degradation mechanisms of bamboo scrimber that were exposed to different environmental conditions for a decade. The changes in cellulose, lignin and hemicellulose of bamboo scrimber resulting from natural weathering were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Variations in mechanical properties were assessed by bending and shear strength. Quantitative results indicated that natural weathering could cause the degradation of lignin on the surface of bamboo scrimber, and affect cellulose crystallinity, resulting in a reduction in mechanical strength. Moreover, bamboo scrimber exposed to the conditions of a subtropical monsoon climate exhibited significant degradation when compared to samples in outdoor environments with a temperate monsoon climate. The identified climate-induced degradation patterns provide critical insights for optimizing the material and predicting its long-term performance under diverse environmental exposures.

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