Developing Modern Bamboo Structures for Sustainable Construction

The authors are conducting a comprehensive research program, with the goal to develop modern bamboo structures for buildings and bridges. This paper reports the design, construction, testing of modern bamboo bridges and buildings. The authors developed laminated bamboo girders, named as GluBam, and verified their satisfactory mechanical performance through full-scale testing. It was demonstrated that the laminated bamboo girders have satisfactory stiffness and load carrying capacity. The use of FRP can further enhance the stiffness and capacity of the bamboo girders.

Based on the test results and analysis, a 10 m long single lane roadway bridge was designed and constructed, which was the first of its kind in the world. The field tests were carried out using an over loaded two-axel truck with a total weight of 8.6 ton which exceeded the given design truckload of 8.0 ton. The bridge performed satisfactorily with the mid-span deflection corresponding to the critical service loading condition being much smaller than the code required limit. The paper also reports the authors invention of modern bamboo buildings. In the aftermath of the Great Wenchuan Earthquake of May 12, 2008, the authors developed modern bamboo structure earthquake relief shelters and classrooms and deployed in the devastated area.