International Bamboo and Rattan Organization

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Sustainable structures: bamboo standards and building codes

Articles

Journal/Conference:

PROCEEDINGS OF THE INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS-ENGINEERING SUSTAINABILITY

Language:

English

Author:

Gatoo Ana; Bock Maximilian; Mulligan Helen; Ramage Michael H.

Experts:

Sharma Bhavna

Year:

2014

Volume:

167

Issue:

5

Pages:

189-196

Keywords:

buildings structures & design; codes of practice & standards; sustainability

The investigation of natural products for use in construction continues to grow to fulfil the need for sustainable and locally available materials. Bamboo, being globally available and rapidly renewable, is an example of such a material. Structural and engineered bamboo products are comparatively low-energy-intensive materials with structural properties sufficient for the demands of modern construction. However, the lack of appropriate building codes and standards is a barrier to engineers and architects in using the material. This paper describes the existing national and international codes and looks towards the future development of comprehensive standards directly analogous to those in use for timber.