Objective  There are few related research on radial bamboo slivers, and there is no research on the influence of bamboo nodes on the performance of radial bamboo slivers. This paper studies the structural characteristics, bending and tensile properties of radial bamboo slivers varying with height, as well as the influence of bamboo nodes on their mechanical properties was studied, which can provide theoretical basis and technical reference for the structural design and process optimization of radial bamboo slivers in the application of bamboo-wood composite container flooring.

  Method  In this paper, radial bamboo slivers prepared by 4-year-old Moso bamboo of different heights were used to analyze the structural characteristics of radial bamboo slivers with different height grades, such as size, straightness and bamboo node, and to study the variation law of tensile and bending properties with the height of bamboo tube and the effect of bamboo node on them.

  Result  From the ground up along the bamboo poles direction, the structural regularity of the top radial bamboo sliver was the worst, the straightness of the middle bamboo sliver was high, the thickness deviation at both ends of the bamboo sliver was small, and the number of bamboo nodes in the bottom bamboo sliver was the most. The tensile strength and elastic modulus of radial bamboo sliver gradually increased with the increase of height, and the bending strength and modulus first decreased and then increased with the increase of height. The bamboo nodes affected the mechanical strength of radial bamboo slivers. Although the tensile strength of top, middle and bottom radial bamboo slivers was reduced by 28.9%, 28.4% and 10.5%, respectively, the bending strength of top, middle and bottom radial bamboo slivers was increased by 27.8%, 26% and 42.4%, respectively, which greatly improved the multi-point load and deformation resistance of container flooring.

  Conclusion  The thickness deviation of radial bamboo slivers in the middle is small, and the straightness is higher than that of top and bottom bamboo slivers. With the increase of height direction, the tensile property of radial bamboo sliver gradually increases, and the bending property first decreases and then increases. Bamboo node will affect the structural regularity of radial bamboo sliver. Although it will reduce its tensile properties, it can improve its bending properties.