Tensile behaviour and fracture mechanism of moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens)

Abstract The present work is aiming at the elucidation of the tensile behaviour and fracture performance of moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens Mazei ex H. de Lebaie) by means of digital speckle correlation method (DSCM) and microscopic techniques. Results indicated that fibres play a major role in longitudinal tension and impeding crack radial propagation. Hybrid I-II failure mode was observed, i.e., crack opening (in tensile stress) and shear sliding (in shear stress). According to microscopic fracture characteristics, fibres extraction and stretching, filament formation in parenchyma with fibres bridging, interface debonding and the helix fracture of fibres happened in tension, which created more interfaces and dissipated more energy. The graded composite structure of bamboo provides intrinsic and extrinsic toughening mechanisms which contribute to improved toughness and physical properties.