bamboo preservation
TRANSCRIPT
E N V I R O N M E N TA L B A M B O O F O U N D AT I O N
P r e s e r v a t i o n
f o r
Vs. 3
i f f us ion
er t i ca loak
E n v i r o n m e n t a lB a m b o o F o u n d a t i o n Third Edition: October 2005
1
Initial research on modified Boucherie Teatment was done by Prof. Dr. W. Liese,Universität Hamburg, Germany, and later adapted by the Environmental BambooFoundation with Don Longuevan under a grant from IESC International Executives
Service Corp. Laboratory testing was performed by Koppers-Hickson in NewZealand.
We thank Ben Brown of Mangrove Action Project for providing valuable help andinsight during the testing period and providing translation services for the Indonesian
edition.
We appreciate the advise/comments made by Prof.Liese along the developmentof the VSD treatment.
Many thanks to Emerald Starr of Sacred Mountain Sanctuary in Sideman, Bali, whoused a high percentage of experimental VSD treated bamboo timbers when building
his resort. Seven years later, the bamboo he used is still in excellent condition.
2
Acknowledgements
This publication is not copyrighted. EBF encourages the translation, adaptationand copying of materials for non-commercial use, providing an acknowledgement
to EBF.
Every effort has been made to ensure that all the information in this booklet isaccurate. However, due to differing conditions, kind and age of the bamboos, tools,and individual skills, the publisher cannot be responsible for any injuries, losses,and other damages that may result from the use of the information of this booklet.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements
Managing Tropical Bamboo
Harvesting Tropical Bamboo
Planning a Treatment Center
Appendices
Mixing the Solution
Gen. Information about Tim-bor
Job Sheet Sample
Table of Contents
List of Tools and Materials
Bamboo Conservation
1
2
3-4
5-6
7-8
9-10
Treatment Procedure
11-12
13-14
15-20
Preface and Introduction
21-22
23-2425
Local Names 26
Bamboo Uses 27-28First Edition published 2-1-2003 by: LINDA GARLANDEnvironmental Bamboo Foundation, Bali, Indonesia,
[email protected], www.bamboocentral.org
Engineering Consultant: Ben Brown
The Environmental Bamboo Foundation (EBF) is an Indonesian non-profitorganization started in 1993 by designer and environmentalist, LINDA GARLAND.The EBF strives to protect tropical forests by promoting and demonstrating the
many conservation and development opportunities that bamboo offers. Themission of the Environmental Bamboo Foundation is to encourage, through
research and education, the sustainable planting and utilization of bamboo inan effort to promote its many environmental benefits and protect the world’s
remaining tropical forests and mangroves.Based in Bali, Indonesia, the EBF has affiliate non-profit organizations in the
United States and in Holland.
Graphics & Layout: Studio LaBel, Hedi LaBelResearch & Development: Environmental Bamboo Foundation (EBF)
Petra SchneiderEditorial AssistantKetut SadiaProject Manager
E n v i r o n m e n t a l B a m b o o F o u n d a t i o n E n v i r o n m e n t a l B a m b o o F o u n d a t i o n
IntroductionBamboo culms are a natural material susceptible to insect andfungal attack. Without treatment products made from bamboo canbe expected to last for only up to 3 years.
There are many different techniques for curing and treating bambooculms in order to prevent splitting,insect infection and fungal growth.In this booklet we present the Vertical Soak Diffusion (VSD) methodwhich uses minimally toxic borates as preservatives. The methodhas been tested in Indonesia using three species of bamboo:Dendrocalamus asperGigantochloa apusGigantochloa attersee local names in Appendix.
If you are intending to use other species of bamboo, follow themethodology in this booklet to treat a small section (1-2 internodes)and observe insect attact.
Whereas bamboo treated by the modified boucherie system (apressure system introduced by Prof. Dr. Liese, Hamburg, Germany)is appropriate for large scale plantations growing bamboo forconstruction timber, furniture and some crafts the VSD systemworks well with small-plantation situations and communitydevelopment work in rural villages.
3 4
The use of bamboo products requires often its protection againstbiodegradation by chemical treatment. Its application is hinderedby the structure of the culm, the need for larger technical installations
and the danger of environmental side-effects. The VSD methoddeveloped by EBF is obviously an efficient method to obtain well
treated culms, safe to be handled. Its wider application, also toother species, will strengthen its base.
Preface
Walter LieseUniversität Hamburg, Germany
E n v i r o n m e n t a l B a m b o o F o u n d a t i o n E n v i r o n m e n t a l B a m b o o F o u n d a t i o n
10-15cm buffer
cut 20cm above roots
Managing Bamboo
In the dry season, almost allculms that are 3 years or oldercan be removed from a clumpby cutting them just above anode about 20cm above theground. Some of the youngerones should remain for furthernourishment of the rhizome.
Use a marking pen to date youngculms when they first appear,that way you will know whenthey are at least 3-4 years oldwithout having to guess.
Clumping bamboos are non-invasive. They do not ruinbuildings, they grow very fastwhen young and the culmsare larger than those of therunning bamboo. They requirelittle maintenance, althoughsimple clump managementwill benefit both the growerand the bamboos.
In the shooting season, removeany shoots that are going to createovercrowding (many species areedible, cooked). Leave only theshoots of good diameter whichhave potential to produce straightstrong poles for timber use.
Clumping Bamboo
5 6
Running Bamboo
is more prelevant intemperate climates, canbe extremely invasive,great for erosion control.
E n v i r o n m e n t a l B a m b o o F o u n d a t i o n E n v i r o n m e n t a l B a m b o o F o u n d a t i o n
1.6 mm
Stones
Bamboo . . . . yummy!
Harvesting Bamboo
There are 3 different ways to tell theage of bamboo culms:
1) Mostly, culms at the inside of aclump are the oldest.
2) Label the new shoots; this is thesafest method.
3) If you are an experienced bambooharvester you will know the age byknocking on the culm and observe
the different sounds.
Wet Season Dry Season
7 8
Harvest bamboo during the dry season
Stored bamboo isendangered by beetleinfestation which can berecognized in the form of atalcum-like yellowishpowder and small holes inthe area of the nodes andalong the internodes.
The Powderpost Beetle
The best season for harvesting is after the rainy season when starchcontent in the bamboo sap is low. Starch is the favorite food for
pests. Don’t harvest during shooting season! Cut bamboo that is3-5 years old. Bamboo older than 5 years is harder and the innerculm wall becomes impermeable to the treatment solution. If thepoles are not regularly harvested, they push each other and this
causes the development of bent poles.
The culms should be treatedsoon after having been cut, butcan be left for a few daysstanding upright, placed on astone. Due to the ongoingtranspiration by the leaves theculm will loose some of itsmoisture and also starch, whichis the food for the pest.But don’t wait too long, sincemoisture is required for thefollowing diffusion process.If your bamboo is very dry youcan soak it in water for a fewdays to reopen the vessels fortreatment. In case of split culmscut the cracked pieces off, treatthem in the horizontal basin.
E n v i r o n m e n t a l B a m b o o F o u n d a t i o n E n v i r o n m e n t a l B a m b o o F o u n d a t i o n
9 10E n v i r o n m e n t a l B a m b o o F o u n d a t i o n E n v i r o n m e n t a l B a m b o o F o u n d a t i o n
8 m
2.5 m
30cm 70cm
make sure that allelectrical appliancesare grounded andexposed piping is
protected
Using the heredisplayed principlesin simpler and moreeconomic versions isof course acceptable
1100 liters tanksfor Solution
Concrete Basin forhorizontal soak
Main verticalconcrete soak basin
Floor of basinto be slopedtowards sumphole
Elevation
Floorplan(Treatment
Area)
Sump hole
Sump hole withsump pump
Trough 10cm deep
Water Faucet
Drain Slope
Concrete Concrete
Filter
Tim-borSolution
Floorplan
4 m
7.3 m
14.9 m
27 m
32 m
9 m
2 m
6.4 m
6 m
21.5 m
Planning a TreatmentCenter
Storage House forChemicals and Misc.
Storage shed fordrying the treatedbamboo culms.
Area forwashing andhole punching
spear head Length depending on the culm to be treated
(can be found in aquarium stores)
see Appendice page 23
or coconut husks
List of Tools & Materials
Tim-bor
T-Bar with attached (welded)
Spear HeadEye Protection
Rubber Gloves
Rubber Boots
Water
Red Dye
11 12
Flat, broad Bamboo orWooden Stick for Mixing
Rope (for tying Culms)
Brushes for Cleaning
Plastic Containers forMixing & Measuring
Hydrometer
Bamboo Node Punch
Plastic or Rubber Hose
Pump, plastic and/or stainlesssteel
Handsaw
Small Sum Pump
Filter
or
E n v i r o n m e n t a l B a m b o o F o u n d a t i o n E n v i r o n m e n t a l B a m b o o F o u n d a t i o n
Plastic Containers for Solution
3STEP
A 10% Solutionshould give you areading between1.050 and 1.053
1.000
1.005
1.010
1.015
1.020
1.025
1.030
1.040
1.045
1.050
1.055
1.060
1.035
1.065
1.070
Mixing the Tim-bor Solution
13 14
2STEP
1STEP 4STEP
Figure out the internal volume of the culms.
Fill one punctured culm with water and simply measure how manyliters it takes to fill it up. Multiply by the number of culms.
Slowly add water stirringconstantly until Tim-borand dye are completelydissolved and no morecrystals are at bottom ofcontainer.
Add red dye and mixwell.
This is done for thepurpose of later
identifying the treated bamboo poles
Mix 1 bag of Tim-bor (25kg) with 225 liters of water. This givesa 9 to 1 or 10% weight for weight solution. Keep in mindthough that the total quantity of Tim-bor solution is not 250liters but about 5% less because when 25 kg of Tim-bor aredisolved in water its volume will be reduced.
Test the solution with a saltmeasuring hydrometer undernormal temperatures of yourregion.Fill a small test container withthe Tim-bor solution slowly,so as to not form air bubbles.
Lower the Hydrometer intothe container and give it aquick twirl, spinning the top.This will get rid of air bubblesthat might have accumulatedon the hydrometer.Then read the number wherethe solution crosses the scalelike reading a thermometer:1.052 should be reading onan well-calibrated hydrometer.If this not available make sureyou measure the ingredientscorrectly.
Please also read page 23.
5STEP
E n v i r o n m e n t a l B a m b o o F o u n d a t i o n E n v i r o n m e n t a l B a m b o o F o u n d a t i o n
7STEP
STEP9
Treatment
STEP8
Weld a spear head to oneend of iron rod. With this
you can punch holes easilythrough the diaphragms
and pieces of thediaphragms don’t clog theinside of the culm. Largerdiameter holes will prevent
air bubbles from formingduring the filling procedure.The holes will not diminish
the strength of the culm(Prof. Liese).
Place the bamboo against awall. Insert the iron rod andpunch holes through thenodes.Make sure the last node isnot punctured.
Thoroughly clean theoutside of the bambooculms with water and
brushes (or coconut husksand sand, or scotch brite)
Move the bamboo to theconcrete basin.Stand up vertically.Tie culms securely togetherso that they cannot movewhen they are being filledwith the solution. Culmsbecome very heavy whenfilled.
6STEP
15 16E n v i r o n m e n t a l B a m b o o F o u n d a t i o n E n v i r o n m e n t a l B a m b o o F o u n d a t i o n
End of Iron Rod
Spear Head
1 2 3 4 5 68 9 10 11 12 13715 1614
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Jan FebMar AprMay JunJul AugSep OctNov Dec
Calendar
17
IN
OUT
STEP13
IN
11STEP
STEP12
Treatment
Connect a hose to thecontainer which holds themixture. Pump the solution
into the culms.
Fill the entire bamboo withthe solution. Every morningrefill the culms with moreof the solution. The culms
will have absorbedapproximately 1% of the
liquid overnight. Every dayabsorbtion rate is less.
10STEP
On Day 14 break the lastnode using a metal punch.Make sure you wear faceprotection.The diaphragms of largeculms should be puncturedby using the iron rod.The solution will now flowon the sloped basin floorinto the sump hole.
On Day 13 don't add moresolution. Allow the level togo down to avoid overflowwhen the last node isbroken.
17 18
continued
E n v i r o n m e n t a l B a m b o o F o u n d a t i o n E n v i r o n m e n t a l B a m b o o F o u n d a t i o n
Dry the bamboo for4-6 weeks dependingon humidity conditions
in a well ventilated,covered area. It mustbe in the shade; hot sunsplits the culms. Makesure that they are notexposed to rain which
could wash out thepreservative.
19
14STEP
Treatment
20
continued
15STEP
Leave the bamboo for a minimumof one hour in the basin for the
solution to fully drain out of culmsinto the sump hole. Pump leftover
solution back into container througha filter for re-use. The filter shouldbe regularly changed. Hydrometertesting of the re-use solution will
be will be inaccurate because of theadded bamboo sugar content
(see appendix page 23).Wipe down the whole culm to remove
excess solution.
Notes
E n v i r o n m e n t a l B a m b o o F o u n d a t i o n E n v i r o n m e n t a l B a m b o o F o u n d a t i o n
General Information about Tim-bor
21 22
Tim-bor, Disodium octaborate tetrahydrate, Na2B8O13 x 4 H2O, ismore environmentally friendly than other wood preservativescurrently used. It is a white, odorless, powdered substance thatis not flammable, cumbustible, or explosive and has acute low anddermal toxicity. The product is itself fire retardent and shows nohazardous decomposition,Tim-bor is superior to BORIC ACID because it diffuses and penetratesbamboo or wood better and faster. Stirring the solution will causeTim-bor to completely dissolve into the water, resulting in a clearsolution which is very stable. Do not use Fertibor (Na2B4O7x5H2O)
The Tim-bor solution can be used more than once for treatingbamboo. Keep in mind that, as the bamboo sap gets partiallydrained out of the culm, the starch/sugar from the sap will moveinto the treatment solution. This leads to inaccurate hydrometerreadings. After the 3rd or 4th use add more Tim-bor. At the pointwhen the drained solution foams significantly and/or mold isforming on the surface of the solution and on the bamboo culmit is time for the solution to be disposed of. For more info, visitwww.borax.comEBF is currently researching sap content percentages in re-usedsolutions and will develop more accurate procedures to deal withthis issue.
Tim-bor is non toxic to the environment, but is highly saline. Whena moderate amount of it is absorbed into the ground, the groundfilters out the salt to the point where it does not pollute the groundwater. However, it is advisable to dispose of it safely and out ofreach of children.When diluted with more water the discarded solution could be usedas a herbicide on terraces and walkways.
Pt Chimifin Jaya Utama, JakartaTel 021-424-0202, 424-7141, 425-5563Fax 420-5588
UD. Saba Kimia, Denpasar,Tel/Fax 0361-410662
Tim-bor distributor in Thailand22/2 Moo2, Soi JadsarntaharnruaChalermprakiet Rama 9 RdDokmai, Praves, Bangkok 10250, Thailand66 2-726-7300 / 7350, contact: Numchai L.
Reuse Guidelines
Disposal Guidelines
Where to buy Tim-bor or Borax/Boric Acid in Asia
Appendices continued
Substance
Tim-bor (Na2B8O13x4H2O)
Boric Acid (H3BO3)
Solubilityat 20ºC
Solubilityat 30ºC
9.7% 21.9%
5.5% 6.3%
Solubility
How to mix your own Tim-bor in case you don’t find afriendly supplier in your countryOur chemist David Kueper, MSc (Organic Technical Chemistry), MBA,from Switzerland has tested this:Tim-bor can be made by slowly adding 50KG of Boric Acid and 75KGof Borax to 700 liters of water while stirring the solution. When allcrystals are dissolved, you will have the equivalent of a 10% Tim-bor solution.
E n v i r o n m e n t a l B a m b o o F o u n d a t i o n E n v i r o n m e n t a l B a m b o o F o u n d a t i o n
23 24
Gigantochloaapus
Gigantochloaatter
Dendrocalamusasper
bulu pagarbulu cinabulu jawabulu jawa
ManadoEastern Indon.
Malayu
TagalogBikol
BatakSudaneseJavaneseMadureseBalineseIndonesian
Indonesia
Countries Languages
Malaysia
Philipines
Singapore
L a o s
Thailand
Vietnam
E . T i m o r
bambu tali
awi talipring apus
pring talibambu ater
pring legiawi tenen
péréng keles
bukawe
bambu betung
awi bitungbulu batung
buloh betingbuloh betongbuloh panching
botongVisaya butong
rebong china
hok
phai-tong
manh tong
pring betung
bambu tali
patung au oraTetun
tre-tau(cochinchinensis)
25 26
Local Bamboo Names Job SheetCustomer Name
Customer Tel. No.
Bamboo Species
Date Arrived
Date TreatmentStarted
Date TreatmentFinished
Quantity ofCulms
Length of Culms
Average InsideDiameter
Average OutsideDiameter
1 2 3
Day 1
Total Liters Added
New Liters Added Liters of Used Solution in Tank
Liters of Solution Left in Tank
Total Liters Used
Drying PeriodTotal BORAX Used
Total BORIC ACID Used
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
Day 11
Day 12
Day 13
Day 14
Day 15
Day 16
Drying Period
Drying Period
E n v i r o n m e n t a l B a m b o o F o u n d a t i o n E n v i r o n m e n t a l B a m b o o F o u n d a t i o n
Pai dtakwang
27 28E n v i r o n m e n t a l B a m b o o F o u n d a t i o n E n v i r o n m e n t a l B a m b o o F o u n d a t i o n
FoodWater ShedErosion controlToxic CleanupCharcoalMedicinal
Arts & CraftsMedicinalCO2
HousesFurniture
ConstructionCharcoalFurniture
Upper Culm(Leaves &Branches):
Mid-Culm:
Base:
Root System:
BAMBOOUSES
Graphic by: Studio LaBel, USA
E N V I R O N M E N TA L B A M B O O F O U N D AT I O N
village is happy
bamboo forestsare planted
houses arebuilt
productsare made
& consumed
productsare sold
Loans are given
Financing
bank getsloan back
plus interest