Anatomical of cell wall structure on Schizostachyum brachycladum examined. The harvested two-year-old and four-year-old bamboo culms segregated into the bottom, middle and top portions. The samples then undergo the Light Microscopy (LM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) to determine their structure such as a vascular bundle, parenchyma, and sclerenchyma. Results show the surface of bamboo was visualized by LM to decide on their structural figure. In this part, 2-year age indicated that higher numbers of vascular bundle and average of mean compared to the 4-year S. brachycladum. Followed by a specific study of cell wall structure using SEM with highlighted 4-year S. brachycladum had more complex of morphology structure compared to the 2-year-old. Later on, TEM illustrated to shows most depth anatomically structure of bamboo such as middle lamella, primary and secondary walls.
The study was carried out to determine the physical and mechanical properties of composite lumber made from cassava (Mahinot esculenta Crantz) and bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris) in different ratios which is 100% cassava with 0% bamboo, 75% cassava with 25% bamboo, 50% cassava with 50% bamboo, 25% cassava with 75% bamboo and 0% cassava with 100% bamboo. The tests samples for determining the strength properties were divided into two categories namely mechanical testing and physical testing. Basic density of the samples was carried out for physical testing. The lowest basic density was in samples with 100% cassava which is 0.49 g/cm3 and highest in samples with 100% bamboo which is 0.68 g/cm3. Two tests for the mechanical testing are bending test and compression test. In bending test, modulus of elasticity (MOE) and modulus of rupture (MOR) were both highest for samples with 100% bamboo which the reading of MOE was 16794.03 N/mm2 and 122.52 N/mm2 for MOR. Similar to the bending test, compression test is the highest for the samples with 100% bamboo which are 65.58 N/mm2. From statistical analysis, the basic density, static bending can compression strength give significant value at 95% confidence interval.
This study focussed on composite boards made from Elaeis guineesis empty fruit bunches (EFB). The EFB supplied by a smallholder oil palm planter in Kuala Krai, Kelantan. The fibre cutter and crusher were used in turning the EFB into smaller size particles. They were screened with four-tier sieve shaker used to remove the oversize particles and impurities present. Hardeners and wax added during the mixing process at 1% and 3%. Boards of three (3) different densities were produced using urea-formaldehyde as the bonding agent. The boards produced later conditioned in a chamber set at 20±2°C and 65% relative humidity. The testing procedure set by EN Standards and specifications were followed. The tests results showed the EFB composite boards possessed excellent physical and mechanical properties. The MOR, MOE and internal bonding of the boards were 22.91 N/mm2, 2059.56 N/mm2, and 0.98 N/mm2. The internal bonding for both edge and face screw withdrawal were 467.47 N/mm2, and 512.37 N/mm2 respectively. Boards with 700 g/cm3 density and 14% resin content met all the requirement needed according to standard exercised. Scanning electron microscope images of low-performance boards showed the resin and fibre in the board interacted closely, but voids appeared at the cross-section suggesting moisture penetrated the board via the open spaces and attacked the linkages existed, thus cause the board to have a low property. The thermal stability of the boards manufactured studied using the Thermogravimetric Analysis.
Soil is the unconsolidated material in which plants are rooted. Soil texture is determined by the amount of sand, silt and clay in the soil. Understanding soil properties can help to better management and minimize soil disturbance. These soils were collected for soil properties and bulk density along the 55.2km of Sg. Lebir. Soil on Earth commonly contains of various particles such as sand, silt and clay. These particles commonly classes by refer to soil textural triangle. 40g of air-dried sample diluted into 1000ml of deionised water were left until the percentage of sand, silt and clay observed then calculated as percentage. As calculated, the mean percentage of sand contained is 66%, clay 17% and silt 17%. Besides that, it was concluded that most of the soils texture along 55.2km of Sg. Lebir had a sandy loam soil with pH slightly acidic (6.08) with densities the mean is 0.24 gcm-3.