Where does bamboo get its strength from?

[matnjo]

Where does bamboo get its strength from? Nodes, fibers?? Does cutting across the fibers compromise its strength or flexibility?

[Mark Meckes]

Hi! The short answer is, Yes! All these things contribute to the overall strength of the bamboo.
Another factoris it's wall thickness and density which varies from the outer wall to inner wall.

It should be kept in mind though, that the bamboo grows like it does and is like what it is for the purpose of it's growth and survival.
Under stressfull growing conditions breakage and damage can occur, not always visible.

How we put the bamboo to use, and whether it has satisfactory strengths and qualities towards it's intended purpose is another thing.

We can observe certain characteristics of the bamboo and apply segments of the plant to specific uses.
For example, the base of a thickwalled culm, with closer internodes, can make a stout post, having little flex, whereas a basket weaver may prefer making splits from thinner walled bamboo with longer internode spacing for pliability and ease of weaving.
The nodes play an important role in keeping the bamboo upright when it is growing, but when bending a strip of bamboo into a curve, the bamboo will bend first at the internode sections. The nodal joint is stiffer.
So bamboos' strength needs to be measured as the whole, the part thereof, or application of the parts.
Also, in any component which involves the use of multiple parts, the sum of the combined whole can be stronger then the sum of the individual parts ...

Through choice selection of materials and further processing and treatments, when can increase, or enhance the strength of bamboo to suit our needs.
There is much yet to be known with regards to your question.
Especially needed is further comparative evaluation of the many bamboo species according to their location grown, harvesting, treatments processing techniques employed etc, et, to fully understand their strengths, weaknesses and appropriate uses of bamboo ...

Mark