Traditionally, bamboo has been utilized in the building sector for various constructions, especially in Asia. Nevertheless, because of its shape, this material can only be used in certain applications. The researchers at Brock University recently made public their intention to make bamboo a future sustainable construction material that can be utilized in any building project.
(Photo : Unsplash/Eric BARBEAU )
Transforming Bamboo into a Sustainable Construction Material
Giant bamboo is a sturdy, long-lasting material that grows quickly. It can reach a minimum height of three to four meters and consists of cylindrical cross sections that are 250 millimeters wide. Certain species can grow as quickly as one meter per day, and it may only take them four to five years to mature enough to be harvested. However, according to Associate Professor of Engineering Amir Mofidi, who is engineering bamboo to develop composite materials that set the standard for innovation, the hollow shape of bamboo makes it challenging to employ in building,
Moreover, by utilizing sophisticated methodologies and financial support from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of the Government of Canada, Mofidi is developing novel designs of engineered bamboo that serve as a viable, cost-effective, and functional substitute in the construction field.
As mentioned, while conversing with two college students a few years ago, he realized that giant bamboo could become the building material of the future one day. Students reportedly approached Mofidi intending to conduct research that was relevant to their experiences in Hong Kong and Central Africa, both of which are regions that are well-known for their usage of bamboo in construction.
Mofidi, also globally recognized for restoring old concrete structures, believes that one frequent approach to sustainability in the construction business is to extend the lifetime of existing buildings, bridges, and other structures, a prevalent aspect of the construction industry. With the objective of identifying a species of bamboo that is robust enough for building and can be produced locally outside, he is investigating the feasibility of cultivating noninvasive bamboo species in a laboratory that can endure temperatures ranging from -20 degrees Celsius to -30 degrees Celsius.
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The Popularity of Bamboo Construction in Asia
Bamboo buildings are more prevalent in Asia in the 21st century despite being relatively uncommon compared to artificial constructions. In its natural habitat, the plant can be found in diverse biotopes, ranging from the warm and humid regions of Indonesia to the icy highlands of Tibet. Bamboo, known for its strength, flexibility, and ease of availability, has presented itself as a potential material for construction across Asia. It is reportedly difficult to compete with man-made materials like cement and steel to address the urgent problems associated with urbanization.
Hence, there is still a growing demand for bamboo worldwide, which may cause it to transition from a relatively uncommon building material to a component widely used in homes and businesses worldwide. Some architects have the ambitious goal of constructing skyscrapers out of bamboo, even though this idea appears unrealistic. Accordingly, an idealized society with healthy forests, a stable climate, and regenerative building materials might be more than an ideological fiction if the bamboo industry expands as steadily as its principal product of bamboo-based products.
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