Abstract: Bamboo, a natural biomass material with a unique gradient structure and excellent mechanical properties, has received increasing attention owing to its high strength, toughness, and efficient utilization potential. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in the mechanisms and applications of the high strength and toughness of bamboo to elucidate the underlying principles in mechanics and materials science. First, the biological mechanisms responsible for the high strength and toughness of bamboo are examined from three aspects: multiphase composite structure, multilevel hierarchical organization, and multilevel structural optimization. Second, the environmental mechanisms are summarized from two perspectives: the effects of moisture on tissue structure and the influence of temperature on chemical composition. Finally, future research and development directions are outlined, particularly regarding the mechanisms underlying high strength and toughness, advanced material development, and practical applications. This systematic review provides detailed insights into the toughening and strengthening mechanisms of bamboo as a natural composite material. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the design of high-performance biomimetic materials and the high-value utilization of bamboo.

Key words: Bamboo')">Bamboo, High strength and toughness, Physical mechanisms, Environmental mechanisms, Bamboo utilization