Bamboo and Building
Bamboo used as support beams
The two different forms of bamboo growth discussed earlier, monopodial and sympodial are used in building “but each is more suited to different areas of use as construction material. With careful selection and design, both forms can be used for a diversity of applications” (Birkeland, 2002, p. 202). The monopodial form due to its thinner walls and smaller diameter are used most often as added building materials of accents and in order to process this form as building material it can only be harvested after nine years (Birkeland, 2002). However, unlike the running form, sympodial is stronger due to its clumping structural habits and it can be used in its natural state as structural materials in buildings (Birkeland, 2002). Because of this strong building material, Sarkisian et al. (2011) state “even when subjected to tsunamis [or other natural disasters], bamboo behaves effectively and efficiently…” (p. 61). Another article stated by Hunter (2003) states that even after an earthquake of 6.5 on the Richter scale left only one casualty because the buildings were built with earthquake resistance, which is now being used as components for bamboo buildings and houses. In Costa Rica bamboo houses are especially designed to surmount the death toll caused by reoccurring earthquakes (Birkeland, 2002).
Birkeland (2002) states, “As an economical building material, bamboo’s speed in developing matured harvestable timber production outstrips any other naturally growing resource” (p. 201). Combining bamboos’ rapid growth, strength and pliability makes it a superior construction product to wood products (Birkeland, 2002). Bamboo timber has been used as plywood and even laminated beams and is more massive and strong, compared to other wood products (Birkeland, 2002). Bamboo is also used in reinforcement for concrete, which is then used in wall panels of houses, floors and ceilings and “is a popular substitute for hardwood, particularly for flooring” (Howell, 2009, p. 227; Hunter, 2003, p. 323). All of these different construction uses for bamboo have to be designed for the appropriateness of different bamboo types and in what ways the bamboo type will work best in the building industry as explained by Birkeland (2002) about monopodial and sympodial forms. The knowledge of bamboo’s proper uses is becoming more world renowned because this is very important when building because different types of bamboo may or may not have a better quality as a certain building material (Birkeland, 2002; Hunter 2003). The use of bamboo building material in construction has become an alternative and eco friendly and sustainable tool in the industrial world (Howell, 2009; Hunter, 2003; Mahdavi et al., 2011).
To learn more about building with bamboo watch this InkTalk by Elora Hardy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOSQksSlr9c
Birkeland (2002) states, “As an economical building material, bamboo’s speed in developing matured harvestable timber production outstrips any other naturally growing resource” (p. 201). Combining bamboos’ rapid growth, strength and pliability makes it a superior construction product to wood products (Birkeland, 2002). Bamboo timber has been used as plywood and even laminated beams and is more massive and strong, compared to other wood products (Birkeland, 2002). Bamboo is also used in reinforcement for concrete, which is then used in wall panels of houses, floors and ceilings and “is a popular substitute for hardwood, particularly for flooring” (Howell, 2009, p. 227; Hunter, 2003, p. 323). All of these different construction uses for bamboo have to be designed for the appropriateness of different bamboo types and in what ways the bamboo type will work best in the building industry as explained by Birkeland (2002) about monopodial and sympodial forms. The knowledge of bamboo’s proper uses is becoming more world renowned because this is very important when building because different types of bamboo may or may not have a better quality as a certain building material (Birkeland, 2002; Hunter 2003). The use of bamboo building material in construction has become an alternative and eco friendly and sustainable tool in the industrial world (Howell, 2009; Hunter, 2003; Mahdavi et al., 2011).
To learn more about building with bamboo watch this InkTalk by Elora Hardy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOSQksSlr9c