I think everyone in this world knows about Bamboo specie. It is a type of grass that is found mainly in countries in the Southeast Asian region. It resembles wood because it has elements and components that mimic the strength and durability of wood. It is also widely used in furniture making and has made bamboo one of the cheapest option yet serves its purpose in terms of work-ability, durability, and strength.
Can it be a good alternative or substitute for reinforced steel? Can it be the wonder item everyone is dying to use because of its cost-economical element? Or we will just be trapped in using bamboo as an ornamental plant?
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Well, the story of the bamboo does not end there, aside from furniture making, adornments, and landscape, bamboo has been trending to be one of the most eligible substitutes for steel in reinforced concrete.
Based on studies, and consequently ongoing researches, it has been notably recognized that bamboo can be an effective replacement of steels which are of course, a bit costly in construction industries. Bamboo possesses the strength that steel possesses in contributing sturdiness in reinforced concrete columns, foundation and beams. In a continuous experiment, bamboo has been utilized as reinforcement in a simple concrete hollow block fence wall. Said wall has been subjected to the usual process in construction with plastering as the end process. The products have been subjected to tension and compression and seismic activity and it withstood such pressure without having to fail or collapsed.
A next similar experiment was undergone, but this time, bamboo was utilized as reinforcement for ground flooring. It was also subjected to such compressive and tensile tests and efficiently passed such. This is a great indication that the construction industry can refrain from utilizing costly steel bars for reinforcement in phases like walls and flooring.
They have yet to undergo an experiment using such item like bamboo for foundations, columns and beams. Some are skeptical if it can withstand construction tests while others are very optimistic. At the end of the day, what is important is that we are advancing from construction innovation using other items that are cheap and prevalent everywhere but possesses strength that reinforce steel has.
While we cannot predict calamities such as earthquakes and floods bamboo can be commercialized and introduced as the new product in construction. Before in rural areas in Asia, bamboo was only used as column forms and scaffolding. But now, it can play a more crucial and permanent role in the construction industry.
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What we really need is a steady supply and enhancement of planting technology so that it will be feasible and viable not only on tropical countries but can also be exported internationally. Oh, before we forgot, bamboos are not susceptible to rust unlike the steel.
So, will you dare try it?
To learn more about bamboo and its varied used you can look at the wonderful work of Asali Bali. They are constantly innovating and creating new things with bamboo while keeping their focus on the 100% bamboo sustainably sourced construction industry.
Asali Bali Bamboo Warehouse - Gianyar