Comparison Study on Hygric Performance of Bamboo Laminated Lumber and Bamboo Scrimber as Indoor Finishing in Hot-Humid Climate Region

Abstract

Bamboo laminated lumber (BSB) and bamboo scrimber (BFB) are two most typical products in bamboo-based panel industry, which are widely used as building indoor finishing. The study aims to clarify the difference between BSB and BFB, in terms of the material property and the construction performance. Material tests including two items for basic properties and four for hygric properties were first carried out, and the results showed that under the influence of bamboo-based panel processing technology, BFB had significantly higher bulk density and lower open porosity, lower moisture storage as well as lower moisture transport properties than BSB. Based on the material parameters, exterior walls construction groups were set in the computer program WUFI Plus with a typical city in North America Hot-Humid climate region as external condition. The annual simulation of coupled heat and moisture process for the construction groups showed that BSB performed better in exhausting the moisture inside the construction, and strengthening the regulating effect on the indoor hygric environment. However, vapor barrier was suggested to be arranged in the upstream side of the moisture flow to avoid its hygric resistance disadvantage.