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Title: Bamboo Reinforced Concrete: Lesson Learned, Prohibitions and Opportunities
The use of small diameter whole-culm (bars) and/or split bamboo (a.k.a. splints or strips) has often been proposed as an alternative to reinforcing steel in reinforced concrete. The motivation for such replacement is typically cost and the drive to find more sustainable alternatives in the construction industry. Although bamboo is a material with extraordinary mechanical properties, this paper will summarise the reasons that for most load-bearing applications, bamboo-reinforced concrete is an ill-considered concept: having significant durability, strength and stiffness issues. Additionally, it is argued that bamboo-reinforced concrete does not possess the environmentally friendly credentials often attributed to it. Finally, the authors identify applications in which bamboo reinforcement may prove an acceptable alternative to steel provided durability concerns can be addressed.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
1634739
PAR ID:
10181500
Author(s) / Creator(s):
Date Published:
Journal Name:
18th International Conference on Non-Conventional Materials and Technologies (18NOCMAT)
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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