Gradient Variation and Correlation Analysis of Physical and Mechanical Properties of Moso Bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis)

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The article contains interesting laboratory tests that refer to selected structural, strength and structural parameters of moso bamboo. The presented load-displacement characteristics and the relationships between individual parameters are scientifically interesting and indicate the need for further research into the use of moso bamboo in industrial conditions. Below are some comments and suggestions:

1. In the introduction, several characteristic features of moso bamboo should be added: positive and negative compared to other construction materials;

2. In the subsection 2.1, please write more clearly why years-old moso bamboo was chosen and not freshly cut bamboo;

3. In the subsection 2.2, write what tool was used to prepare (cut) samples for tensile strength tests;4. For the sentence “…using the Segal method…” on line 137 – please refer to the literature;

5. For Figures 4a and 4c, please add a trend line;

6. In the subsections 3.2 and 3.3, formulas should be added to determine the bending and tensile strength values;

7. At the beginning of chapter four, before Figure 8, a few introductory sentences should be added; first of all, what software and algorithms were used to perform the correlation relationship among mechanical, physical properties and chemical properties;

8. In the conclusions, please add one statement regarding the availability and durability of moso bamboo in industrial conditions - as an indication for further research and strength analyses.

Author Response

Dear Reviewer,

We extend our gratitude for your thoughtful consideration and constructive feedback on our manuscript. Following a meticulous revision process, we have incorporated the suggested changes and provided a detailed point-by-point response below. We trust that these revisions will enhance the quality of our work. 

 Sincerely,

All authors

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

The paper “Gradient variation and correlation analysis of physical and mechanical properties of moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis)”, proposed for the journal Materials, is interesting and suitable for the chosen journal.

The abstract synthesizes well the content of the paper and the aim is clearly expressed.

As general comment, I recommend a revision of the English language because there some unclear sentences and some errors.

I have some specific comments for the paper.

1) page 2, Materials: The bamboo sections selected for sample preparation from 1.3 m to 3.3 m above the ground.

In this sentence it seems that the verb is lacking.

I suggest: The bamboo sections, selected for sample preparation, were gathered from 1.3 m to 3.3 m above the ground.

2) page 2, line 73: what is LZ? This not clear. Could you please indicate it in the figure 1? thanks

3) I suggest to add information about the location of Purple Mountain Scenic Area.

4) page 2, line 83: The bending and tensile properties were conducted …

I suggest to change as: The bending and tensile properties were obtained …

5) Page 4, lines 140-143: the author write The calculation formula for Cr was:

In the formula Cr was indicated with r subscript and then the authors write: In the formula, 𝐶𝑟 represents the percentage of Cr ? Cr is the percentage of Cr? This not clear.

Please explain better this part. I think that it should be better to indicate the crystallinity with C or CR because Cr seems the chemical symbol of chromium.

6) page 4, lines 127-128: Bamboo powder with size between 100 mesh and 200 mesh was dried at 105℃. And the bamboo powder mixed with KBr in ratio of 1:100 was made into transparent ingot produced by a tablet press.

I suggest to change as follows: Bamboo powder with size between 100 mesh and 200 mesh was dried at 105℃, and then it was mixed with KBr in ratio of 1:100 to obtain transparent ingot by a tablet press.

7) Page 6, line 203: Figure 5d and not 4d, I suppose

8) Page 7, par. 3.3 tensile should be with capital initial (Tensile)

9) page 7, line 240: I suggest to correct DENG with Deng [22]

10) Page 8, par. 3.4.1 chemical should be Chemical with capital initial

11) Page 9: the figure is very hard to clearly read its content. The resolution is too low. FTIR spectra are too small and the main signatures of bamboo components are not well-resolved.

I suggest to improve the quality of the image and the dimensions of the spectra.

12) Lignin has a typical FTIR signal at about 1510 cm^-1. Did you find this?

13) Page 9, line 278: LATIF S, 2015. Please correct the reference by using the correct number, may be, I suppose, 26

14) the same at line 284 (Grimapettenati, 1999): the authors must use the correct reference number

15) Cr seems the chemical symbol of chrome. I suggest to use CR

16) In the figure 5, the letter e is not visible in the graph of bending strength

17) Page 10, lines 303-304: the sentence “It could be seen that the mechanical properties, which the bending strength, tensile strength of bamboo were mainly affected by lignin content … must be revised. It is not correct.

18) Pae 10, lines 311-317: why the use of simple past? I suggest to use the present simple and to correct the sentences as follows:

There is a strong positive correlation between vascular bundle area percentage and the mechanical properties of bamboo: the correlation coefficients are 0.956 and 0.966 for BHB and BHQ, respectively, and 0.996 for tensile strength.

The lignin content shows strong positive correlation with the mechanical properties of bamboo; the correlation coefficients for BHB and BHQ are 0.877 and 0.831, respectively, and that for tensile strength 0.845.

19) the sentence “This is due to the role of lignin in interconnecting the cells, which is usually filled in the fiber architecture and can enhance the mechanical strength of bamboo [32]” is not clear and need revision.

20) page 11 line 330: It showed …

what does it refer to? what is the subject?

21) Page 11 lines 336-337: and the gradient distribution of vascular bundles along the direction of bamboo diameter was the main reason caused the gradient decrease of bamboo’s mechanical strength from BGL to BYL …

I suggest: … is the main reason that caused the …..

22) Caption of Figure 9. I suggest to modify as follows: Correlation between microstructure and mechanical properties. a) vascular bundle and bending strength on BQB & BHB, b) vascular bundle and tensile strength, c) density and bending strength on BQB & BHD, d) density and tensile strength.

Correct syrength with strength in figure 9c.

23) Page 11 line 347-349: It showed a positive linear relationship between vascular bundle area percentage and bending strength, tensile strength, with R2 above 0.9 in all cases (Figure 9a, 9b), which verified that vascular bundles have a significant reinforcing effect on the mechanical properties of bamboo [38].

I suggest to revise this sentence and to correct the English language.

Moreover which is the subject of the sentence? It showed …

24) Page 12, lines 360-361: For bending strength on BHB, BQB, and lignin content, tensile strength and lignin content, they showed a well parabolic-linearly correlation, with R2 above 0.8

Also in this case I suggest a revision.

Concerning the bending strength on BHB, BQB and the lignin content, and the tensile strength and the lignin content, a well parabolic-linearly correlation is obtained, with R2 above 0.8.

25) pages 12-13, lines 367-: There was a turning point of the lignin content on bending strength and tensile strength, When the lignin content values fall within the range of 24% to 28%, the growth rates of bending strength for BHB, bending strength for BQB, and tensile strength increase with the increase of lignin content

Please revise this sentence and check for the punctuation (tensile strength, When)

26) Page 13, lines 372-373: it showed a well positive correlation, with R2 around 0.76 for all cases

Perhaps it is better to write: a well positive correlation is obtained (or is derived) with R2 around 0.76 in all cases

27) In the Introduction the authors stated that: This study aims to provide references for the rational utilization of bamboo's gradient structure, facilitating the high-value utilization of bamboo materials.

But, after having read the paper and the conclusion, I have not clear if the authors reached their aims and if and how they can give references for a rational utilization of bamboo.

I invite the authors to stress this point in the conclusion.

I think that English language must be improved. I found several errors and uncorrected sentences. 

Author Response

Dear Reviewer, 

We greatly appreciate your professional comments on our paper. As you have pointed out concerns, there are several issues that need addressing. In response to your suggestions, we have made extensive revisions to the previous manuscript, which could be saw in the attached file.

We appreciate your valuable comments and suggestions. And we believe that implementing these changes will enhance the clarity and comprehensibility of the manuscript. 

Sincerely,

All authors

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

The manuscript is interesting and well organized, but the research focus/objective has been substantially investigated from a plethora of researchers within the last 2 decades of publication. I came to this conclusion by searching at the web for similar studies, noting the following list of studies with high/striking methodological, organizational and argumentation  overlaps with the manuscript reviewed. Therefore, I kindly recommend authors to consider and to include all missing citations to their own revised manuscript. More and foremost authors are recommended to stress out in a more clear and precise manner/narrative the protoype features of their study, comparing with these already completed studies, thus, underscoring its novelty. The list of published relevant studies are presented below:

Lorenzo, R., Godina, M., Mimendi, L. et al. (2020). Determination of the physical and mechanical properties of moso, guadua and oldhamii bamboo assisted by robotic fabrication. J Wood Sci 66, 20. https://doi.org/10.1186/s10086-020-01869-0

Zhou Q, Tian J, Liu P, Zhang H. (2021). Test and prediction of mechanical properties of Moso bamboo. Journal of Engineered Fibers and Fabrics, 16. https://doi.org/10.1177/15589250211066802 

Liu L, Zhou X, Li Z, Zhang X, Guan F. Effects of Different Cutting Widths on Physical and Mechanical Properties of Moso Bamboo under Strip Cutting. Forests. 2023; 14(10):2068. https://doi.org/10.3390/f14102068

Mingqian Wang, Kent A. Harries, Yuxiang Zhao, Qingfeng Xu, Zhuolin Wang, Yubing Leng (2022). Variation of mechanical properties of P. edulis (Moso) bamboo with moisture content. Construction and Building Materials, 324, 126629. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.126629

Dixon (P.G.), Gibson L. J. (2014). The structure and mechanics of Moso bamboo material. Journal of the Royal Society Interface 11(99), 20140321. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2014.0321

H. Q. Yu, Z. H. Jiang, C. Y. Hse and T. F. Shupe (2008). SELECTED PHYSICAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF MOSO BAMBOO (PHYLLOSTACHYS PUBESCENS). Journal of Tropical Forest Science, 20(4). Special 20th Year Anniversary Issue, 258-263. https://www.jstor.org/stable/23616702

Author Response

Dear Reviewer.

Thanks for your suggestion. We appreciate your professional review, constructive comment, and valuable suggestions on our manuscript. We have consistently adopted your recommendations and added references in lines from 51 to 65 of the manuscript. We hope this revision enhances the quality of our manuscript.

Sincerely,

All aothors.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf