>> Bamboo is a fast growing grass reaching rates of growth of over 1m in a day. It is highly sustainable and can be harvested every 4-6 years. A hectare of bamboo takes an estimated 62,000kg of CO2 out of the atmosphere and releases 35% more oxygen than a similar area of hardwood.
>> Bamboo is made up of approximately 48% carbon and absorbs CO2 in the process of photosynthesis. After harvest, the CO2 is retained in the bamboo fibres
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worldwide bamboo distribution
The main area of distribution are the tropics, in particular, South-East-Asia. Bamboo grow at sealevel and can be found at altitudes of up to 3800 m. Most bamboo species grow at temperatures from - 28°C to +50°C. Bamboos grow mainly on sandy loam to loamy clay soils. They prefer well drained soils but grow also in wet and even marshy locations. They do not tolerate saline soils. Growth The growth pattern of the bamboos is a singular combination of grass, leaf-bearing tree and palm. Like the grasses they have tubular blades, lancetshaped cover leaves and panicular flowers and from a subterranean rootstock branch extensively to form dense to loose bushes. The following characteristics distinguish bamboos from grasses: the longevity of their canes, their branching and the lignification. Like leafbearing trees they increase their crown every year by throwing out new branches and also shed their leaves each year. The growth pattern of the trunk is similar to that of the palm tree. Emerging with its definitive circumference from the soil without increasing in diameter later. The species "Guadua angustifolia" will reach lenth of up to 20 - 25 m with a diameter of 12 cm.
Examples of products made of bamboo:
Bamboo used in my project (plyboo flooring and panels):
Bamboo houses are without exception skeletal buildings having raised floors with main posts which are anchored in the ground. Typical bamboo elements are canes, halved canes, laths, beading, bamboo boards and rope ties. This way of construction offers the following advantages: pre-fabrication, simple assembly, simple replacement of structural parts; the bamboo elements can be easily dismantled and reused. Posts, battens, rails, purlins and rafters from the longitudinal and transversal bamboo framework. Normal cane diameters are 5 - 10 cm. Walls, floors and roof are linings rather than stiffening elements of the non-rigid framework because braces and diagonal stays are absent in those planes. The structural safety of the skeletal structure is almost exclusivelyprovided by the posts anchored in the ground. The only vertical and horizontal forces acting on the structure are wind pressure, roof moisture, liveloads and deadweight. The framing is connected by articulated joints. All the framing bars can slightly move in relation to one another. Although each part is able to transfer all axial and transversal forces. Rigid connections or joints are very rarely used. Above all the structure must be able to withstand dynamic loads, for example wind gusts. The building materials as well as the structure have a high elasticity and low mass. This is the reason, why this houses are secure from an earthquake.
