The natural surface of many bamboos is clean, hard and smooth, with an attractive color, once the canes have been conveniently stored and matured. BAMB is creating ways to increase the value of building materials. In today’s world of plastic and steel, bamboo continues to grow in its importance, and is even being used as a housing material. It is becoming more and more popular as a sustainable material in construction and other industries. Bamboo can be used to make all the parts of a house other than the fireplace. In many overly populated regions of the tropics, certain bamboos supply the one suitable material that is sufficiently cheap and plentiful to meet the extensive need for economical housing. The bamboo has the following characteristics that make it a convenient and economical material for the construction of the house as well as for the scaffolding that facilitates the construction: Examples of the use of bamboo poles instead of a conventional foundation for affordable houses, can be seen in both hemispheres. Hardwoods require at least 35 years. In terms of compression, bamboo is stronger than concrete and therefore make a great alternative to the less sustainable material … Here is a list of some innovative construction materials and ideas that could revolutionize the industry and help us build a more sustainable future. Its rate of self-generation is incredibly high, with some species growing up to three feet in 24 hours. In disaster-prone areas, bamboo holds great potential for both temporary and long-term shelter, according to UN Habitat analysis of green building materials. Technically, bamboo is a grass and not a wood and its unique tissue lends itself to be an incredible building material. Moso bamboo is the most valuable bamboo in Asia, especially China, It is one of the most highly used plants for economic activities. Bamboo should be preferred only if the area is not continuously damp or wet. Besides, there are multiple benefits of using Bamboo for housing. The cost of bamboo shelters can vary greatly depending on the intended life-span of the building. Moso bamboo is used widely in the construction, paper, textile, and wicker industries. These international projects have been conducted for several years and have led to development of multiple uses of bamboo as a sustainable alternative to plastics and metals used in homes. Generally when we think of a house made of bamboo the picture that comes to mind is a small hut in a village. The Moso species native to China stores up to 250 tonnes of carbon per hectare – comparable to trees, but much more cost effective. That`s more than steel which measures at 23,000 pounds per square inch. So it can be harvested by hand or small chain saws. With good design, individual green building technologies work together and produce a greater effect. 30 Years Can Make… Sustainability of Bamboo vs Traditional Wood. Because the regeneration rate for bamboo forests is much quicker than any other woody plant, it’s a far superior sustainable choice. The use of bamboo as a building material, whether primary, secondary, or occasional, is common in areas where adequate bamboo grows in sufficient quantity. Inside the sustainable home which is built on a bamboo structure and 90 per cent of recycled material. Specialized labor is required to work with bamboo, but in areas where bamboo grows such labor is traditionally available. That will lead to waste reduction and the use of fewer virgin resources. So it is no more a new trend except that in the present it is viewed through a new perspective and a with proper technological support. For example, bamboo structures will have better air quality if compared to more toxic building materials. Bamboo as a building material has high compressive strength and low weight has been one of the most used building material as support for concrete, especially in those locations where it is found in abundance. One of the most sustainable natural materials may finally be on track to be accepted as a building material in the developed world. Although bamboo that`s used in construction is woody, it is actually a grass. This natural tubular design results in lighter weight over longer lengths and protects against bending and breaking much better than a steel rod. Bamboo has a high elasticity. Unlike other forms of wood, bamboo has a low weight and sturdy structure. Other cons to bamboo in construction are: With proper building techniques and treatment of bamboo, these problems can be overcome. That means that bamboo may not be widely available or face regulatory problems which restrict its usage in construction. It proliferates, making it an ideal sustainable building product. « The 10 Most Beautiful Metal Building Homes on Pinterest Picture by laurent houmeau, Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0, Copyright Thehappybamboo.com 2020| OceanWP Theme by Nick, Bamboo As a Sustainable Building Material, Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window), Non-invasive clumping bamboo – best species and maintenance, Bamboo for privacy – choosing the right species, Reducing the impact on electricity networks, Protecting resident health and improving employee productivity, Reducing waste, pollution and environmental degradation, Shrinkage: Bamboo shrinks much greater than any other type of timber especially when it loses water, Difficulty forming secure joints and connections. 1. Along with being versatile, bamboo offers some unique benefits when compared to other building materials. A wide variety of methods is used in green and sustainable building all over the world. Apart from the qualities of the material, it is also lauded because of its potential contribution to the, of the bamboo-growing areas in the world. According to World Wildlife Fund, 18.7 mi… It is plentiful and grows incredibly fast, so it is environmentally sustainable. The importance of bamboo products in any given region usually depends on the area’s economic levels and their awareness towards sustainability. Bamboo has a tensile strength of 28,000 lb per square inch, versus 23,000 lb per square inch for mild steel (Baksy, 2013). as a sustainable alternative to plastics and metals used in homes. Dynamically and flexibly designed buildings can be incorporated into a circular economy – where materials in buildings sustain their value.  It is widely used for many forms of construction. She is a contributor at Green Building Elements and talks about eco-friendly alternatives that homeowners can use for their houses. It needs little energy to grow, prevents soil erosion, provides biomass, offers wildlife refuge, and produces a healthy food supply for both animals and humans. Training required: Traditional labour for bamboo constructions. That means –  less fossil fuel is used than by large machinery to harvest trees. As a permanent shelter, the advantages of using bamboo in disaster-prone areas come from the lightness and flexibility of the material, which gives it resilience to collapse in strong winds. They account for 18% of annual global CO2c emissions. Bamboo technically is a perennial grass, not a wood, and it continues spreading and growing without having to be replanted after harvest. One of the biggest benefits, and the reason why bamboo might be the material of the future, is its sustainability. Even though bamboo is a great sustainable building material it comes with its cons. Properties in the longitudinal direction are completely different from those in the transversal direction. It has extraordinary load bearing capacity. So what are differences between bamboo and woods in terms of sustainability? Especially when compared to wood and steel. Bamboo is an unbeatable plant that has been used since ancient times for various purposes. The natural units, rods or bamboo canes, are of similar lengths and forms that make them manageable, storable and systematized, conveniently and economically. Bamboo, the world’s fastest growing plant, is an eco-friendly, sustainable building material that can be used for a wide range of decorative or structural projects like roofing, fencing, flooring, and even rugs. Besides, there are multiple benefits of using Bamboo for housing. As a result of a movement towards sustainability, bamboo has become increasingly popular in recent years. Bamboo is widely used in construction but it is still new and not well established in many countries. Bamboo, like wood, is a natural composite material with a high strength-to-weight ratio useful for structures. In certain cultural areas, such as Japan, Java and Malaysia; bamboo has traditionally been employed in architectural forms that are distinctive and artistic. Bamboo is quite common for bridges, scaffolding and housing, but it is usually used as a temporary exterior structural material. Sustainability experts nearly universally agree bamboo is one of the best eco-friendly building materials on the planet. Bamboo can grow on marginal land, not suitable for agriculture or forestry. I did some research andcreated a list of the benefits of bamboo as a sustainable material: 1. When built right, the buildings can resist strong winds, storms and earthquakes. Besides, there are multiple benefits of using Bamboo for housing. In the first 5-6 months, Guadua bamboo can reach a maximum height of 30 meters. Sustainable building practices and technologies are constantly evolving. Climatic Suitability: Warm and humid climates. Continue reading below Our Featured Videos It has been estimated that bamboo has ultimate tensile strength same as that of mild steel and this coupled with other merits can boost the usage of bamboo. The first harvest can be taken in 5 years, a lot faster than wood forests which typically need 25 or more years. After cutting bamboo the soil is not exposed to erosion but that happens in clear-cutting of trees. As a raw material, bamboo appears to have an endless list of possibilities: from building houses with it to wearing it. Bamboo produces more oxygen than other plants and captures higher amounts of CO2. One of the most obvious differences is the speed of growth. The use of bamboo as a building material, whether primary, secondary, or occasional, is common in areas where adequate bamboo grows in sufficient quantity. Guadua is considered to be the world’s strongest bamboo. Most (74 per cent) industry experts believe that bamboo will take the lead, followed by straw bales (69 per cent) and the sawdust-concrete combo, timbercrete (61 per cent). It protects the inner wood from weather and insects. The Happy Bamboo is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Bamboo, being globally available and rapidly renewable, is an example of such a material. Bamboo is not just for pandas anymore. It’s stronger than concrete and steel and is a renewable resource. It is prevalent around … The speed of growth is not the only way bamboo wins over hardwoods, though. Trees used for conventional wood take 30-50 years to regenerate to their full mass. Bamboo. Bamboo is an incredibly strong yet lightweight material. There are cellulose fibers in the longitudinal direction, which is strong and stiff and in the transverse direction there is lignin, which is soft and brittle. Bamboo is an anisotropic material. Also unlike steel, bamboo is not a heat conductor. After planting, for the first 5 years, Moso bamboo doesn’t have any signs of growth. Bamboo is widely used in construction but it is still new and not well established in many countries. The flexibility and high resistance to stress make the bamboo wall highly resistant to earthquakes, and in case of collapse, its lightweight structure causes less damage, and reconstruction is quick and easy. In most cases, however, bamboo is combined with other building materials such as wood, clay, lime, cement, galvanized iron, and palm leaves, according to their relative efficiency, availability, and cost. Its column-shaped growth patterns make it ideal as a building material. This makes it stronger and more durable than even the toughest hardwoods. Renewable resource – bamboo can be harvested in one to five years depending on the species. Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) originates from China. If bamboo is used under the conditions of frequent wetting or in contact with moist soil, it is a better idea to use the foundations of some material that is more resistant to water than untreated bamboo, for example concrete, stone, brick, or some hard wood. The building sector has the greatest potential to deliver significant cuts in emissions at little or no cost. The bamboo walls can not be built to be airtight and leak proof, so cross ventilation is inherently provided, providing a pleasant and moisture-free environment. Cohen, alludes to this recognition of the special virtues of bamboo; “Bamboo becomes the dominant part of a Japanese house as soon as the quality and construction are considered.”. The fundamental principles in green building are: Green building means that one or more of these principles has been optimized in the construction. Surge in timber prices has encourage market for bamboo products particularly as construction materials. Bamboo has been widely known as a sustainable building material due to some reasons among others are bamboo can be easily cultivated and harvested in a relative short time and can be reused. Bamboo is used as a building material in countless beautiful homes all around the world. in any given region usually depends on the area’s economic levels and their awareness towards sustainability. When Is Bamboo Sustainable? Guadua bamboo (Guadua angustifolia) originates from tropical forests in the Central and South America. No expensive machines are needed, just simple tools. Bamboo may look light and fragile, but in case of this material – looks are deceiving. Both hardwood and bamboo can be used for supporting structures in the building as well as surfaces like floors, walls, roofs. Durable and strong . Considerations while using Bamboo for Housing –. Bamboo can be ready for construction within 5 to 7 years. Bamboo can be used to make all the parts of a house other than the fireplace. Bamboo constructions fully satisfy these requirements, which explains their use in hotter areas around the world. That is – around 5 years. Apart from the qualities of the material, it is also lauded because of its potential contribution to the local economies of the bamboo-growing areas in the world. In regions where bamboo grows, the climate is generally warm and humid, and your house needs walls of low thermal capacity and designs that allow cross ventilation. The biggest disadvantages are due to its relatively low durability (due to the possibility of pest attacks), and low resistance to hurricanes and fire, so some protection measures are essential. It can be harvested after 4-5 years. In most cases, however, bamboo is combined with other building materials such as wood, clay, lime, cement, galvanized iron, and palm leaves, according to their, The use of bamboo as a building material, whether primary, secondary, or occasional, is common in areas where adequate bamboo grows in sufficient quantity. The rhizome mat, which continues to live after each bamboo harvest, protects the ground from erosion. It’s twice as strong as concrete and slightly stronger than steel. Bamboo is as strong as steel in terms of tension and is therefore a great structural material. In Asia, it’s used in place of steel for the construction of buildings and roads or to reinforce concrete. In comparison, hardwoods like oak trees take at least forty years before they can be harvested. The importance of. It is a great insulator, providing natural cooling and energy efficiency in a building. The attributes of bamboo that make it a great building material include: Renewable - While traditional lumber sources take decades to replenish, up to seventy years, bamboo is the fastest growing plant in the world. The texture of the canes make it easy to cut them by hand into short pieces (sawing or cutting them), or into narrow strips (splitting them). For use in building houses, the structural elements of bamboo shafts are fixed to the post, and allow a properly built house to stand despite possible tectonic tremors. Bamboo is a sustainable building material because it grows 15 times faster than other traditional lumber like pine. When shelter is needed as an immediate response to a sudden crisis, bamboo structures are appropriate since they can be cheaply and quickly constructed as well as easily transported. Two of the most popular species of bamboo in the world for construction are: For purposes of architecture and construction, age and species are critical. To conclude the use of bamboo as a substitute material for construction in Nigeria will be a bold step toward building a sustainable environment. With the abundance of bamboo in Nigeria, further research should be conducted to find out detailed characteristic and properties of the species in Nigeria and their various attributes. Structural and engineered bamboo products are comparatively low-energy-intensive materials with structural properties sufficient for the demands of modern construction. A sustainable building , or green building, or green Architecture was fundamentally seen in so many ancient civilizations and traditional architectures. 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