Origin
Commonly found in South East Asia including countries such as China and India; South America, southern parts of Tanzania, Ghana, Vietnam and its growth is because of their climatic conditions
Properties of a bamboo
· Due to its rhizome dependent system, they grow three times faster than other species.
· High compressive strength and low weight.
Ways to work with Bamboo as a construction material
Maturity of about 3–6 years, less than or higher than that they become unsuitable for use in construction.
~ Through splitting shaping and bending.
General notes — Bamboo in various construction elements
· Bamboo used for foundation design — is limited because of moisture contact in such cases flattened, woven mats and plastic composites are integrated
· Bamboo used for wall construction — is typically positioned in a way to withstand forces of nature — structural loads. Commonly an infill is used to add strength and stability
· Bamboo for roofing — I think one of the most significant challenges here would be getting an expert in bamboo construction since the material is a natural material and no modifications have been made to it.
· Bamboo as Scaffolds — This technique has immense significance since the joints can be re-aligned in the right degree. Questionable
Advantages
1. Bamboo in structural works is an advantage due to its environmentally friendly attributes and readily availability
2. Any shape could be achieved (square, flat and round)
3. Could be heated up to 150 degrees and retain shape even after cooling off with the help of adhesives
4. Higher compressive and tensile strength (which work opposite to the length) than steel because of axially formed fibres
5. Due to high silicate acid, it provides a fire resistance of about 4000 degrees centigrade
6. Elasticity — higher elasticity especially in earthquake-prone areas
7. Low weight and so can be transported easily in bulk
8. No dangers such as carbon dioxide or gaseous emissions
Disadvantages
1. Treatment costs against the environment, insects and moisture are expensive
2. Durability due to environmental exposure
3. Jointing
4. Shrinkage — which is a significant factor to consider
5. Lack of design guidance and codes. Standard used so far that expounds on the methodology used for Life Cycle Assessment LCA internationally is the ISO 14040 series
6. Its plantation is prone to causing forest fires.
As a construction material factors such as Improved quality of bamboo resources and the development of efficient, sustainable management practices, harvesting techniques, processing and preservation techniques are challenges surrounding Bamboo construction. Hence one of the main issues would be LCA of Bamboo usage. From extraction to the factory production process to usage phase and lastly durability and end of life phase
“An effective and efficient way of extracting bamboo fibres without leaving any harmful footprint on the environment is essential and must start from the harvesting of bamboo culms. The cutting of the culms from the bottom, including selecting only mature culms, using appropriate tools and machines in the processes, appropriate chemical for fibre treatment and extraction, appropriate transportation of culms and products to the composite material site as well as product producing industries.” — (Akwada, Akinlabi)
BAMBOO PRACTICES IN TANZANIA
· Innovations on the Bamboo use such as “Dutch-Sino East Africa Bamboo Development Programme” have been adopted and are working but it’s only for tracking plantations and things like that.
· Bamboo uses such as a source for biomass production (this is an end of life usage)
· VCFS Taskforce, TFS North Ruvu plantations have resulted in bamboo-based products from poles for construction, charcoal, furniture, baskets and scaffolding to luxury flooring and foods.
My thoughts are that
Bamboo as a construction material works for rural areas due to its availability and fewer expenses. Urban demand requires specific measures to be fulfilled to allow adaptation of this material. Research and specifications have been adopted for places like India where it’s availability are enormous. Although, you don’t see this practice in abundance because of the lack of standards which brings us back to the first challenge. Bamboo is a natural material that only attains construction material properties within a specified bandwidth (3- 6 years) and so shifting the mentality for contractors to using this product should come with so much backlash. Economy viability with regards to investment return should pose a threat as well. Regardless, you can suggest or adopt it for rural settings with certain precautions.
