Mark Meckes
11th November 2004, 11:03 AM
Sources: See below
----------------------------------------------------
"Bamboo Preservation Compendium" by Dr. Walter Liese and Dr. Satish Kumar
Book summary description by Gerald Morris, ABS/LGCC
(originally printed in the Louisiana Gulf Coast Newsletter)
The book has 231 pages with numerous color photographs describing techniques for preserving bamboo material used in construction projects.
Chapter 1 describes the anatomical characteristics of bamboo and the authors discuss moisture content and drying procedures.
Chapter 2 briefly discusses the natural durability of bamboo material.
Chapter 3 describes the factors reducing the quality such as cracks, splits, fungi, mold, decay and the dreaded powder-post beetles as well as other insects.
Chapter 4 presents non-chemical protection measures, such as proper storage, traditional methods of culm curing such as boiling, smoking, lime plastering, heat treatment and so on.
Special construction methods are described where much damage can be avoided by using the described approaches.
Chapter 5 presents the conditions for chemical treatment. The treatment methods need to consider the bamboo tissue or anatomical structure as well as the moisture content.
Chapter 6 gets at the essence of the subject in that it describes the
preservatives for bamboo to prevent decay and insect infestations. Some of these chemicals are hazardous and are no longer used in the U. S.
For example, the excellent wood preservative Copper-Chrome-Arsenic compound or CCA that has been used for so many years in the U. S to yield the so-called "treated lumber’ is no longer being used as of December 31, 2003 and current stocks are being depleted. While the CCA treated wood had excellent resistance to decay and insects, studies had shown that this popular treated wood was being used in construction of playground equipment and dangerous arsenic compounds were leaching out of the wood into the soil.
Other natural compounds are mentioned as well as varnishes and paints.
Chapter 7 follows rather naturally in that it briefly describes some safety precautions in handling these dangerous chemicals.
Chapter 8 gives details on the chemical treatment methods such as
applications via brushing, spraying, dipping and so on.
Chapter 9 gives details for the treatment of semi-finished and finished products. Techniques include dyeing or coloring the bamboo as well as painting and applying clear finishes.
Chapter 10 addresses quality control and methods for determining the penetration of preservatives into the bamboo material. Methods for
determining the amount of arsenic, boron, copper and so on are described to measure the penetration of the solvent and the effectiveness of the
preservation.
Chapter 11 describes the environmental consequences of preserving bamboo using such harsh, dangerous chemicals.
Chapter 12 addresses the economic consequences of preserving the bamboo.
Chapter 13describes the procedures of dealing with infested bamboo. In particular it describes procedure for treating furniture and art objects that may be infected.
Appendix
A-1 gives a list of preservatives
A-2 preservative application methods and concentration retention levels
A-3 a glossary of terms.
The author’s summary description follows:
"Bamboo is an excellent material for countless applications ranging from
handicrafts to industrial products and construction.
One of the major obstacles to wider utilization is the biological degradation of raw bamboo and bamboo products that shortens the lifespan of its products.
Bamboo is susceptible to various microbe and pest attacks.
Like wood which is similarly susceptible, it is likewise possible to prevent
bamboo deterioration by use of appropriate and safe treatments.
However, information on various preservation procedures in use is hard to
come by. A knowledge gap exists, in spite of the knowledge being available.
This Bamboo Preservation Compendium brings together information on various technologies and procedures used for bamboo protection and preservation around the world, weaving in the knowledge of experience.
It outlines safety procedures, environmental issues and economics of
preservation, concisely yet comprehensively, in a manner that is field
applicable."
-----------------------------
Sources:
Inbar Publications (http://www.inbar.int/publication/pubdetail.asp?publicid=117)
American Bamboo Society
- $22 per copy, plus $4 shipping for 1 to 3 books (1 copy-$26; 2 copies-$48; 3 copies-$70)
Send payment to:
Sue Turtle
ABS Treasurer
30 Myers Road
Summertown, TN 38483
----------------------------------------------------
"Bamboo Preservation Compendium" by Dr. Walter Liese and Dr. Satish Kumar
Book summary description by Gerald Morris, ABS/LGCC
(originally printed in the Louisiana Gulf Coast Newsletter)
The book has 231 pages with numerous color photographs describing techniques for preserving bamboo material used in construction projects.
Chapter 1 describes the anatomical characteristics of bamboo and the authors discuss moisture content and drying procedures.
Chapter 2 briefly discusses the natural durability of bamboo material.
Chapter 3 describes the factors reducing the quality such as cracks, splits, fungi, mold, decay and the dreaded powder-post beetles as well as other insects.
Chapter 4 presents non-chemical protection measures, such as proper storage, traditional methods of culm curing such as boiling, smoking, lime plastering, heat treatment and so on.
Special construction methods are described where much damage can be avoided by using the described approaches.
Chapter 5 presents the conditions for chemical treatment. The treatment methods need to consider the bamboo tissue or anatomical structure as well as the moisture content.
Chapter 6 gets at the essence of the subject in that it describes the
preservatives for bamboo to prevent decay and insect infestations. Some of these chemicals are hazardous and are no longer used in the U. S.
For example, the excellent wood preservative Copper-Chrome-Arsenic compound or CCA that has been used for so many years in the U. S to yield the so-called "treated lumber’ is no longer being used as of December 31, 2003 and current stocks are being depleted. While the CCA treated wood had excellent resistance to decay and insects, studies had shown that this popular treated wood was being used in construction of playground equipment and dangerous arsenic compounds were leaching out of the wood into the soil.
Other natural compounds are mentioned as well as varnishes and paints.
Chapter 7 follows rather naturally in that it briefly describes some safety precautions in handling these dangerous chemicals.
Chapter 8 gives details on the chemical treatment methods such as
applications via brushing, spraying, dipping and so on.
Chapter 9 gives details for the treatment of semi-finished and finished products. Techniques include dyeing or coloring the bamboo as well as painting and applying clear finishes.
Chapter 10 addresses quality control and methods for determining the penetration of preservatives into the bamboo material. Methods for
determining the amount of arsenic, boron, copper and so on are described to measure the penetration of the solvent and the effectiveness of the
preservation.
Chapter 11 describes the environmental consequences of preserving bamboo using such harsh, dangerous chemicals.
Chapter 12 addresses the economic consequences of preserving the bamboo.
Chapter 13describes the procedures of dealing with infested bamboo. In particular it describes procedure for treating furniture and art objects that may be infected.
Appendix
A-1 gives a list of preservatives
A-2 preservative application methods and concentration retention levels
A-3 a glossary of terms.
The author’s summary description follows:
"Bamboo is an excellent material for countless applications ranging from
handicrafts to industrial products and construction.
One of the major obstacles to wider utilization is the biological degradation of raw bamboo and bamboo products that shortens the lifespan of its products.
Bamboo is susceptible to various microbe and pest attacks.
Like wood which is similarly susceptible, it is likewise possible to prevent
bamboo deterioration by use of appropriate and safe treatments.
However, information on various preservation procedures in use is hard to
come by. A knowledge gap exists, in spite of the knowledge being available.
This Bamboo Preservation Compendium brings together information on various technologies and procedures used for bamboo protection and preservation around the world, weaving in the knowledge of experience.
It outlines safety procedures, environmental issues and economics of
preservation, concisely yet comprehensively, in a manner that is field
applicable."
-----------------------------
Sources:
Inbar Publications (http://www.inbar.int/publication/pubdetail.asp?publicid=117)
American Bamboo Society
- $22 per copy, plus $4 shipping for 1 to 3 books (1 copy-$26; 2 copies-$48; 3 copies-$70)
Send payment to:
Sue Turtle
ABS Treasurer
30 Myers Road
Summertown, TN 38483