Production of a structural engineering manual for bamboo is being heralded as significant milestone in promoting the adoption of the fast-growing wood as serious, ecologically-friendly building material for the developed world.
aims to help structural engineers and other building designers understand how bamboo can be used safely, with the ISO standard and the manual limited to two-storeys because of fire concerns.
It has 10 chapters covering topics including: the bamboo supply chain; bamboo project management; grading and mechanical characteristics of bamboo; analysis of bamboo structures; seismic and wind hazard design using bamboo; element and connection design; durability; bamboo structural shear walls; and case studies of bamboo鈥檚 structural use.
The manual draws on the expertise of four international authors from academia and industry. They are all members of the International Bamboo And Rattan Organization (INBAR) Bamboo 色猫直播 Task Force (BCTF), one of the leading international bodies on the structural uses of bamboo:
- David Trujillo, assistant professor in humanitarian engineering at the University of Warwick鈥檚 School of Engineering
- Kent Harries, professor of structural engineering and mechanics at the University of Pittsburgh
- Sebastian Kaminski, a structural engineer with consulting firm Arup
- Luis Felipe Lopez, general manager of the Base Bahay Foundation, which is a guide sponsor with INBAR.
Lead author David Trujillo said: 鈥淭his manual marks a significant milestone for the safe use of bamboo for permanent structures. Most structural design codes are developed in higher-income countries to address their own needs. Only later are they adopted or adapted by lower and middle-income countries 鈥� but the starting point is never the needs of those regions.鈥�
Kent Harries added: 鈥淭here are some 1,600 known species of bamboo. Structurally, it has remarkable mechanical properties. It has also become a very promising bio-based resource, with growing credentials as a sustainable construction material. Nonetheless, this is hugely dependent on designing and building safe and durable structures. Our detailed manual helps to achieve this.鈥�
Sebastian Kaminski explained: 鈥淏amboo has great potential to contribute to a low-carbon construction sector. Bamboo engineering is a very young field compared to mainstream materials and its unique possibilities are increasingly recognised and supported by growing research and innovation. Our manual is structured to support the design engineer along the journey, from sourcing bamboo to detailed design.鈥�
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Luis Felipe Lopez said: 鈥淔rom being an alternative to a reliable building material, bamboo is now gaining global recognition and the need for a comprehensive framework is essential to support design engineers and ensure the safe and proper use of bamboo in the built environment, maximising its full potential and environmental advantages.
Trujillo concluded: 鈥淭he guide is published in the wake of the tragic Hong Kong tower block fires. We share condolences for all those impacted, and await the outcome of investigations as we cannot comment until all the facts are in. However general risk management principles advocate a risk assessment and consideration of use of flame-retardant materials on high rise and closely spaced buildings, along with fire detection and suppression.
鈥淚mportantly, and given the wide use of bamboo, this guide sets out provisions for its safe use, including for fire, covering permanent buildings and not scaffolding. Our aim is for this to be a must-use resource for the structural engineer already working with bamboo or considering its use. We also hope it will be a trusted resource for colleagues across the built environment globally, whether in industry or academia.鈥�