Uses of Bamboo for Sustainable Construction—A Structural and Durability Perspective—A Review

Sumeera Madhushan, Samith Buddika, Sahan Bandara, Satheeskumar Navaratnam () and Nandana Abeysuriya
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Sumeera Madhushan: Department of Civil Engineering, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya 20400, Sri Lanka
Samith Buddika: Department of Civil Engineering, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya 20400, Sri Lanka
Sahan Bandara: Department of Civil Engineering, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya 20400, Sri Lanka
Satheeskumar Navaratnam: School of Engineering, RMIT University, 124 La Trobe Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
Nandana Abeysuriya: NCD Consultants (Pvt) Ltd., Nugegoda 10250, Sri Lanka

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 14, 1-22

Abstract: Bamboo is a natural biodegradable material used as a strength-bearing material that operates for system works, formwork supporting stands, structural members in low-rise houses, props, framing, bridges, laminated flooring, facades, walls, roofs, and trusses. Over recent years, there has been an increased demand for bamboo, considering sustainable construction practices. Exploring bamboo’s physical and mechanical behaviour is essential to develop innovative construction methods and design guidelines. Therefore, this paper aims to review the studies on bamboo culms’ material properties and physical behaviour, considering the load-bearing capacity and structural adequacy. This study summarises the physical and mechanical properties of a wide array of bamboo species grown worldwide. Mechanical properties such as compressive, tensile, flexural, shear, and bucking strengths are explored, highlighting the key findings in previous experimental works. Results have indicated a significant variability in bamboo’s material and mechanical properties considering the growth conditions, location along a culm, geometric imperfections and environmental conditions. In addition to material and mechanical properties, structural bamboo connections, engineered bamboo products, and preservative treatment of bamboo are also investigated. The construction industry can utilise the summary of the findings of this study to develop design guidelines for sustainable bamboo construction. Overall, this paper presents an overview of structural capability and drawbacks for future research and development using bamboo in modern construction.

Keywords: bamboo; structural performance; treatment; connections; cross-laminated bamboo (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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