Assessment on bamboo scrimber as a substitute for timber in building envelope in tropical and humid subtropical climate zones - part 1 hygrothermal properties test

Bamboo scrimber was bamboo fiber based panel developed in 2000s that was potential to be an ideal substitute for timber in bamboo growing areas. For obtaining material parameters and evaluating the performance in building envelope, bamboo scrimber was systematically tested for hygrothermal properties, based on the building envelope heat and moisture process model. Static test items included density calculation and vacuum saturation test for basic properties; sorption test for moisture storage properties; capillary absorption test, water vapour transmission test and drying test for moisture transport properties; thermal analysis for heat storage properties; thermal conductivity test, surface light and thermal properties test for heat transport properties. The test results, by comparison with reference timbers showed that bamboo scrimber had higher heat storage and heat transport properties and lower moisture storage and transport properties. The dynamic test in wind tunnel with outdoor weather condition showed that bamboo scrimber had lower moisture absorption and desorption rate than reference hardwood. The significant magnitude difference between the static and dynamic test results showed the necessity of a comprehensive evaluation approach that could take more practical conditions into consideration.