Development and Validation of a Tangential Stress Model for Bamboo Cracking with Palm Fiber Anti-Cracking Efficacy

Although bamboo holds great promise as a sustainable construction material in industry, its susceptibility to cracking during drying compromises its mechanical performance and limits its structural applications. This study aims to develop a predictive model for bamboo cracking and investigate effective mitigation strategies. A crack evaluation model for round bamboo was established based on an analysis of tangential stress and validated experimentally in a climate chamber. The model demonstrated a prediction accuracy of 75–80% with a built-in safety margin, while analysis revealed that outer surface strain, inner surface strain, radial elastic modulus, and culm outer diameter all positively correlated with tangential stress, highlighting the importance of controlling these factors to prevent cracking. Moreover, a surface-bonded palm fiber wrapping method was proposed and tested, which significantly enhanced the crack resistance and delayed crack initiation. The effect was most pronounced in 1-year-old bamboo, while culms aged 3, 5, and 7 years remained crack-free until moisture content fell below 5%. The proposed model accurately predicts cracking behavior in bamboo, offering theoretical support for its structural use and practical insights for crack prevention.