Structural Bamboo
There is a new material touting itself as a structural element in the construction industry: bamboo. It has been used for years in Asian countries, and is now making its way to the western world. In fact, it has been certified by the ICC Evaluation Service to be a legitimate structural element.
Bamboo can be used in wall, roof, and floor trusses, or as individual studs. The poles generally range in size from 2 ¾” to 3 ¼” in diameter and 10 to 14 feet long, so they will easily fit into standard western construction. According to the ICC report, they can be used in Type V non-fire-resistance rated residential and commercial construction. In commercial construction use is limited to one story and a maximum floor area of 2000 square feet.
Bamboo makes an excellent substitute for traditional wood framing because of its rapid growth cycle. The largest species, timber bamboo, grows to a whopping 120 feet with a 13 inch diameter in just three years. The stalks can be cut, then left to grow again without replanting. Growing bamboo is good for the soil as well, as it deposits minerals into the ground, and serves to prevent erosion.
The down side of this new product is the cost of transportation. Currently the only bamboo certified for structural use comes from Vietnam and must be treated with borate. Bamboo can be grown in almost any climate, so costs could be reduced as more is grown in the U.S. Locally grown bamboo would also help sales of other bamboo products such as wood flooring and veneer.
To see a building in Mexico City build from structural bamboo, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nomadic_Museum.
More on bamboo products: www.bambooliving.com
More information on structural bamboo: http://www.toolbase.org/Construction-Methods/Wood-Framing/structural-bamboo
To see the ICC Evaluation Service report, visit http://www.icc-es.org/
Thanks for writing this on the amazing properties of bamboo. Bamboo is one of the fastest growing renewable resources being used for a whole host of products in the green building industry and beyond. My firm EcoLogic Products LLC is utilizing reclaimed bamboo and earth-based resins for use in our sustainable tableware line.
Here’s some more info on Bamboo:
An enduring, fast growing and truly renewable resource, it needs no replanting.
A high-yielding, viable replacement for wood and petroleum based products.
Important economic and ecological benefits including soil and water conservation, jobs, numerous product applications and food- more then 1000 documented uses.
Amazingly short growth cycle, it can be harvested in 3-5 years versus 15-20, typical for many hardwoods.
The fastest growing plant on the planet, some species can grow up to 1 meter or 3 feet per day.
A critical element in the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
A renewable alternative resource for agro-forestry production.
Bamboo shoots provide a nutritional source of food which can be made into bread, cakes scones and cookies.
Environmentally friendly reduction of pressure on forests through wood substitution.
Products can be made in rural environments, reducing industrial and urbanization impacts.
Bamboo is durable, sturdy and strong - harder than Red Oak and Maple.
We’ve got a greta link on our blog http://ecologicproducts.typepad.com profiling some more uses of this great resource.
Lamboo Inc. Architectural and Structural Bamboo, This company is truly a resource to architecture and engineers alike. Definitely on the cutting edge. http://www.solardecathlon.uiuc.edu/ Current research is ongoing at the University of Illinois, Champaign Urbana. The innovation of engineered structural bamboo is finally here.
Lamboo Architectural and Structural bamboo http://www.lamboo.us
Structural bamboo is the ecological choice for architects and engineers looking to specify LEED certified products in their upcoming projects.