Engineered bamboo for structural applications. (15th April 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sharma, Bhavna; Gatóo, Ana; Bock, Maximilian; Ramage, Michael
• Is Part Of: Construction & building materials. Volume 81(2015)
• Page Start: 66
• Page End: 73
• Publication Date: 2015-04-15
• Subjects: Bamboo scrimber -- Engineered composites -- Laminated bamboo -- Construction; Building materials -- Periodicals; 624.18
• DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2015.01.077
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0950-0618

Abstract

Highlights: Relevance of engineered bamboo products to construction and industry. Mechanical characterisation of bamboo scrimber and laminated bamboo is presented. Bamboo scrimber is shown to have similar strength to laminated bamboo. Engineered bamboo products have properties that are equal to or surpass that of timber. Abstract: Bamboo is a rapidly renewable material that has many applications in construction. Engineered bamboo products result from processing the raw bamboo culm into a laminated composite, similar to glue-laminated timber products. These products allow the material to be used in standardised sections and have less inherent variability than the natural material. The present work investigates the mechanical properties of two types of commercially available products – bamboo scrimber and laminated bamboo sheets – and compares these to timber and engineered timber products. It is shown that engineered bamboo products have properties that are comparable to or surpass that of timber and timber-based products. Potential limitations to use in structural design are also discussed. The study contributes to a growing body of research on engineered bamboo and presents areas in which further investigation is needed.