Analysis of Bambusa rigida Bamboo Culms between Internodes and Nodes: Anatomical Characteristics and Physical–Mechanical Properties

Abstract In this research, the anatomical characteristics and physical–mechanical properties of bamboo between internodes and nodes were investigated to evaluate the influence of nodes on the properties of bamboo culm. The results indicate that node sections had lower vascular bundle frequency, shorter fiber length, and wider parenchyma lumen diameters in comparison with internodes. The compressive strength parallel to grain, shear strength parallel to grain, and modulus of elasticity of bamboo culm internodes were significantly higher than those of the nodes. The basic density, volumetric shrinkage, and modulus of rupture of the former were also higher than the latter, although the difference was not significant.