Experimentally measured values of the mechanical properties of bamboo, namely, the tensile strength, the Young's modulus, the compressive strength and the interlaminar shear are presented in this paper. The values compare very favourably on a weight to weight basis with conventional materials such as mild steel and glass reinforced plastics. As the absolute values of modulus and strength of bamboo are higher than that of plastics, it has considerable potential as a reinforcement for these materials.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0015056881900233