The world of construction is ever-evolving; right from the way buildings are designed and their construction processes to the construction material being used in them. Sustainable materials have been on the list for a long time not just of the builders but also the homeowners. Bamboo has off late emerged as a construction material that has ticked all the right boxes and is being hailed as the construction material of the future. Let’s look into some of the reasons which have given Bamboo this stature.
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The bamboo plant can grow up to four feet in a single day and once it is harvested, it re-grows without being replanted. It is one of the fastest-growing plants in the world and grows three times faster than most species of plants. Bamboo is a natural material and hence it is easily available. It can grow naturally in almost any type of soil but it grows best in areas closest to the equator. Once bamboo is planted horizontally and below the soil, its shoot starts to grow roots from the nodes. This adds humidity into the ecosystem which is beneficial to other life in the area. A material that is easily available and can be replenished as easily is every builder’s dream.
buy gabapentin 100mg uk It’s sturdy
Surprisingly, bamboo has a tensile strength that is two to three times higher than steel because its fibers run axially.
http://tiffaneejacob.com/wp-includes/class-wp-page-cache.php Alternative for steel
Bamboo can be used as an alternative for steel reinforcements in concrete.
http://simplecommunion.com/tag/dark/ It’s simple to use
Using bamboo in construction is relatively simple and requires very little equipment. The lightweight of bamboo makes them easy to install and it can bear heavy loads too. This is why the scaffolding used in construction can also be made out of bamboo. Electricity and air conditioning can be easily incorporated into bamboo structures. Because of its lightweight, bamboo can also be transported easily.
Bamboo can be treated to give it different shapes as it is growing. A square cross-section can be created by compressing its growing stalk within a square section. It can be made to grow in an arch shape by compressing it which is an easy and inexpensive way. Traditional techniques of heat and pressure can be used to create a curved and flat shape in it.
It’s not expensive
Compared to other building materials, bamboo is not expensive and its low cost can be passed on to the home buyer.
It’s good for flooring
Bamboo has the potential of being used as flooring. China is currently working on developing and perfecting laminate flooring made out of Bamboo.
It’s good for the environment and health
The bamboo plant releases almost 35 percent more oxygen and absorbs nearly 35 percent more carbon dioxide than most trees. It is a sustainable material that is going to change the effect that the construction industry has on the carbon footprint. Bamboo can be disposed of easily which is another factor that makes it a truly ‘green’ construction material. Unlike other building materials like asbestos and cement, bamboo does not pose any risk to human health in the long run.
It’s reusable
Bamboo canes from one building can be reused several times over in other projects.
It’s excellent as a roofing material
Bamboo is one of the best materials for the construction of the roof. It provides adequate sturdiness to the structure and offers a shield against damage from nature or animals. The different kinds of roofs that can be made from bamboo are purlins, rafters, and trusses.
Alternative housing
Bamboo structures are being used as disaster shelters in many regions of the world. It is the perfect construction material for earthquake-prone regions due to its elastic features. It can be used for constructions that are done within the forest areas as in most green places a concrete construction is either not allowed or it proves damaging for the green environment.
It’s fire-resistant
Bamboo can withstand temperature up to 4000 C which is due to the presence of a high value of silicate acid and water.
However, certain areas still need to be worked upon more before using bamboo as a construction material.
- Preservation– It needs to be preserved properly so that it does not face water damage.
- Shrinkage- Bamboo tends to shrink more than other kinds of timber when it loses water.
- Treatment- It needs to be treated for protection against insects and fungus
Bamboo has a lot of untapped potentials that need to be explored by architects. It does not follow the traditional norms of construction that have been followed for the past few centuries. A lot of this can be credited to its different shape; hollow, round and tapering. Architects will now have to evolve the way buildings are designed to incorporate bamboo effectively in the structure.
