12/12/2014

BAMBOO

BAMBOO
These are timber yielding plants are plants with wooden stems which grow yearly in
length and diameter. (Bamboos, like palms dont increase in thickness). It belongs to
the family of grasses, along with rice, corn and sugar cane.
The term bamboo describes all tree- or bush- like grasses having a durable woody or
branched stem. Since its cell- structure and technological properties are similar to
that of wood tissue, it may also be termed as wood.

12/12/2014

BAMBOO:
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION
Worldwide there are about 1,600 bamboo species of which India has 128 species of
bamboo. Geographically these species are found in tropical, sub-tropical and
temperate areas of all the continents, except Europe where there are no indigenous
species from lowlands up to 4000 m altitude. The approximate continental
distribution of bamboo is as follows:
67 % in Asia and Oceania; 3 % in Africa and 30 % in the Americas
The main area of distribution of Bamboo is thus seen in the TROPICS with few of the
more robust species seen in the sub- tropical or temperate latitudes.

BAMBOO AS PLANT
PARTS OF A BAMBOO:
In the hollow inner area, some horizontal partitions called diaphragms can be seen. On
the outside, these partitions are denoted by a ring around the culm. A diaphragm
and the ring on the outside together form a node. Branches grow from these
nodes. The part between two nodes is called an internode. The internodes of most
bamboos are hollow; that is, they have a cavity. The wall of the culm is called
simply the culm wall (Fig. 2).

12/12/2014

BAMBOO AS PLANT
ANATOMY:
Unlike timber, the stem is divided by nodes and the
regions of the stem between the nodes are hollow.
In the section of the stem, you can see dark spots
which are vascular bundles - cellulose fibers
together with vessels. The cellulose acts as steel
reinforcement in RCC. The fiber cords of the
vascular bundles with the higher strength are most
densely grouped in the periphery where the static
stress is largest. The stiffness (the resistance
against bending) that this distribution pattern
creates is ten percent more than the one that a
more even distribution pattern could offer.
The vessels take care of the transport of liquids during
the life of the bamboo. The material between the
dark spots is called parenchyma, and it is the
matrix in which the fibers are embedded (like the
concrete between the steel bars). Approximately, a
bamboo culm has 40% fibers, 10% vessels and 50%
parenchyma. The woody xylem of timber is absent
in bamboo.

BAMBOO: PROPERTIES
MOISTURE CONTENT:
Generally speaking, dry bamboo has higher mechanical properties than wet bamboo.
Raw bamboo naturally has a high moisture content, where MC = 100*(wet weightdry weight)/dry weight. This moisture content can be brought down by using various
treatment methods.
The moisture content depends on:
- bamboo species
- cane zones (moisture at the base is more than that of the tips)
- nodes & segments (segments can contain upto 25% more moisture than the nodes)
- the season (moisture can double in the rainy season in the sub- tropics)
- the age of the cane one year old canes show a high and even distribution of
moisture. In mature canes (approx 3 years), water at the base can be double than
that at the tip.
The maximum water absorption is lower in the tropics (30 60%), compared to that of
those in sub- tropics (upto 170% of their dry weight). The variations from base to tip
is also insignificant.

12/12/2014

BAMBOO: PROPERTIES
SWELLING AND SHRINKAGE:
Swelling and shrinkage behaviour is similar to that of ordinary construction timber. Upto
saturation of fibres, the length, width and thickness are almost proportional to the
water content of the bamboo. It shrinks back to its original dimensions in an air- dry
condition. This behavior of swelling and shrinking doesnt affect the structure.
It therefore helps to use tying materials of organic material that behave with similar
swelling/ shrinking behavior, so that there will be no resistance. When wood is
combined with bamboo, sufficient play must be left between the members.

BAMBOO: PROPERTIES
FLAMMABILITY:
The higher content of siliceous acid of bamboo and its higher density, give it its flameretardant properties.
Experiments on bamboo have revealed the following:
1. Horizontal structural elements are more resistant to fire than materials in inclined or
vertical positions.
2. The relatively slow ignition and flame spread of bamboo offers advantages over thinsection building timber. A palm leaf roof can burn completely without igniting the
bamboo rafters and purlins, whereas a structure built from thin- section building
timbers may burn completely.

12/12/2014

BAMBOO: PROPERTIES
TENSILE STRENGTH OF BAMBOO:
The outer skin has a considerably higher tensile strength that the inner skin.
Thin canes higher flexural strength compared with thick ones.
The tensile strength of bamboo material taken from the upper third of the cane is
approx. 12% lower than that of material from the base.
Under tensile loading the nodes reduce the strength.

BAMBOO: PROPERTIES
FRACTURE OF BAMBOO:
While conventional building timber shows sudden failure which is different from that of
bamboo. The following factors increase the IMPACT RESISTANCE of bamboo:
1. Failure of individual fibres do not cause the failure of the entire cane. The fibres
disperse the flow of energy impairing the strength of the critical point of failure.
2. The spread of the longitudinal cracks over the entire length of the tube is impeded
by the nodes.
3. The nodal material increases compressive and shear strength, as well as the
resistance to splitting.

12/12/2014

BAMBOO: PROCESSING
HARVESTING:
TOTAL FELLING is uneconomical, since natives who harvest bamboo dont replant.
In the case of monopodial species, with side spacing of canes, SELECTIVE FELLING is the
typical method. Where in the case of cluster- forming bamboos, the THINNING
method is followed. 30% of mature poles are removed from the cluster at intervals of
2 4 years.
The correct season for felling are autumn and winter in the sub-tropics and the dry
season in the tropics.
Canes should be cut not 30cm above the ground. Felling is best done using a machete or
similar tool, to prevent rotting of the stump which impairs the growth of new shoots.
Felling should not impair the unity of remaining canes; if they cannot support each other
it will result in bent poles.
After felling, the branches have to be removed carefully without damaging the outer skin
of the cane. Damaging the bark strips off the protective coat against moisture and
harmful organisms.

BAMBOO: HARVESTING
To ensure CONTINUOUS HARVESTING, the following points are crucial:
1. The first harvest must be begun only after the cluster has reached full maturity ie.
min. of 6 years after planting.
2. Felling intervals are determined by the annual production of the clusters over 15
years. Typically within the state forest of India, clusters are harvested every 3-4 years.
3. Only the older canes are harvested. The five year bamboo poles are considered best
for construction.
4. Approximately 10 canes should be left, and no felling should take place at the
periphery of the cluster. The remaining canes support the young shoots and maintain
the full power of the rhizome.

12/12/2014

BAMBOO: HARVESTING
To ensure better natural durability in bamboo:
1. Harvesting in the season when the starch content is low.
2. Selecting only those species that the local people have identified as better suited for
the intended purpose.

BAMBOO: STORAGE
Sound management in storage keep dry and free
from the soil. Store the culms under roof,
protected from rain
Bamboo poles should be stored horizontally and
must be frequently supported to prevent
sagging/ bending. Storage systems should enable
good air circulation, and the possibility of
inspecting individual canes for attack from
fungus and insects.
They should be protected against sun, rain and soil
moisture.
Kiln- drying takes only 2-3 weeks compared to the 612 weeks taken by air- drying, but some species
cannot tolerate quick drying and develop crack/
split axially.

12/12/2014

BAMBOO: PESTS
Increasing moisture in bamboo makes it more susceptible to attack by animal or
vegetable pests.
Fungi and insects cause damage to the wall of the cane. Their main enemies being
boring beetles, Mites, Aphids, Mealy Bugs & Ants. They prefer felled bamboo poles,
though they may also attack live canes and make them partially unusable.

BAMBOO: PRESERVATION
1. TIME OF HARVESTING:
Felling of poles in the drier and cooler seasons, reduce the attack by beetles because the
insects are less active.
2. CURING:
The canes are best left at location for several days after felling, with leaves and braches
intact. However, contact between cut surface and soil must be prevented. This helps
the leaves continue to function, eventually reducing the starch content of the cane,
ie. the nourishment of the beetle. However, this is not effective against termites and
fungal attack.

12/12/2014

BAMBOO: PRESERVATION
3. SMOKING:
Bamboo poles may be stored over strongly smoking fires for some time, during which
the poles are restacked several times. The process (smoke) makes the rind
unpalatable to insects.
4. HEATING:
In Burma and Thailand, occasionally, the canes heated on a kiln to around 150 deg. C.
This makes minor changes in the outer layer of the cane wall, which makes in more
resistant against insects. However, canes must not be allowed to develop cracks, that
will weaken the pole.
5. IMPREGNATION INSECTICIDES COATING:
Coatings of lime slurries, cow dung, borax etc. are commonly used.
Chemical coatings or impregnation liquids like kerosene, varnish, diesel oil containing
DDT, etc. are effective methods against termite, beetles, wet rot and fungus attack.

BAMBOO: PRESERVATION
6. IMMERSION:
This is a common method, where freshly cut or
partially dried canes, battens or strips are
immersed in water for 4 weeks. Stone
ballasts prevent bamboo from rising to the
surface. The sugar, starch and other watersoluble substances, which form the
nourishment for the beetles are removed
in the process.
Streams are more suitable than stagnant water
for this process. Salt water, though insectrepulsive, makes the material more
hygroscopic, and makes it prone to rot. It
also doesnt move readily through the
bamboo capillaries being more viscous. It
also it exposes the bamboo to harmful
organisms that thrive in salt water.
After immersion, the bamboo is dried in a
shade.

12/12/2014

BAMBOO: PRESERVATION
SUMMARY:
Most of the preservatives act on the bamboo surface only through the face of the cane.
To penetrate the insides, all diaphragms have to be perforated or all segments have
to be drilled. However, battens or strips can be treated over their entire surface.
When used in building construction, one cardinal rule is to ensure that the bamboo is
kept dry - by means of a watertight foundation/ plinth to protect against splashing
water and by an overhanging roof.
Correct design of all building details is a must; no chemical treatment will be good
enough to solve the problems caused by incorrect design

BAMBOO: TOOLS
1. Large large-sized hacksaws with molybdenum steel
blades and 7-10 teeth per 10 mm are recommended
for FELLING OF BAMBOO.

2. Knives and hand saws are used TO REMOVE BRANCHES. Knives work better in this
case.
3. Saws and hack- saws are used TO CROSS- CUT
CULMS TO REQUIRED LENGTHS. Hand saws
& knives may be used but result in material
wastage and uneven edges.

4. The ordinary knife, or the planing blade may

be used to REMOVE THE BULGING NODES.

10

12/12/2014

BAMBOO: TOOLS
6. The simplest tool to SPLIT BAMBOO CULMS
is the knife or a machete, with a broad
blade made of hardened steel. It should
be fairly heavy and sharp.

SPLITTING OF CULMS may also be done

using a cross of iron or hardwood bars
(about 25 mm thick) is supported by
posts (100 mm cross-section and 900mm
high) firmly set in the ground.

BAMBOO: TOOLS
SPLITTING OF CULMS may also be done using steel wedges or similar devices are used
following an initial cut at the four quarters. The nature of the device depends on the
thickness of the culm.

11

12/12/2014

BAMBOO: ADVANTAGES
1. Renewable resource Self- regenerating, grows in abundance and at a faster rate
than timber yield is almost 25 times that of building timber.
2. Favorable factors like circumference, weight, shape and smooth surface of canes,
allow for easy handling during felling, transportation and storage.
3. The working of bamboo involves few simple operations. The tubular form and
structure allows it to be easily cut to length and split axially.
4. Simple tools are sufficient to perform most operations.
5. Few manual operations are sufficient to transform bamboo into various products and
structures.
6. There are no time, cost or labor intensive operations between the raw material and
the finished product stages.

BAMBOO: ADVANTAGES
7. No waste is produced. No bark to be removed. Even the few branches and leaves can
be used as material or fodder.
8. The surface of bamboo is naturally resistant to mechanical and chemical attack, is
smooth, clean and has a pleasant coloring. Requires no surface treatment.
9. Fire resistance is higher than that of building timber of equal cross section.
10. Bamboo structures are elastic and have low dead weight. They are particularly
suitable for seismic zones.
11. It is an environmentally friendly and sustainable resource.

12

12/12/2014

BAMBOO: DISADVANTAGES
1. Bamboo causes greater tool wear compared to
timber.
2. Because of its hollow cylindrical shape, it is not
suitable for heavy load- bearing applications.
3. It cannot replace timber in those cases where large
homogenous cross- sections are required.

BAMBOO: USES
1. Bamboo is edible. Early shoots can be picked and eaten. Cooking with bamboo is
quite common in Asian culture.
2. It is also made into baskets and cooking utensils - Bamboo cutting boards (dont
blunt the knife easily), wooden spoons (dont scratch the bottoms of non-stick
cookware) etc.

13

12/12/2014

BAMBOO: USES
3. Bamboo is used in agriculture as channel linings for irrigation systems.
4. The hollow tubes of bamboo make excellent instruments, whether it is a flute or a
drum, and it makes the best base for instruments. The light, durable quality of the
bamboo is coupled with its musical potential, and creates the most beautiful sounds.
5. Bamboo fibres are being use to make fabrics and clothing. It is also used for bedding
instead of cotton fibre.
6. It is also used as a raw material in paper industries.

BAMBOO: USES
7. Bamboo is used for interior decoration in articles like picture frames, toys and
decorative screens to flooring and furniture. The smooth floors hold up well in
kitchens and other rooms, and the furniture, bound attractively with rattan or
leather, gives any room a modern look.
8. Bamboo is grown as a garden plant, for its decorative look.

14

12/12/2014

BAMBOO: USES
8. Bamboo has many wonderful uses in the building industry as a resilient and versatile
building material :
-

Used as scaffolding in many Asian countries like India, China and Thailand.
Raw material for industrialized building products like bamboo ply-board.
Being light- weight and durable it is especially suited for seismic zones.
Works great for tensile structures and space frames
A cost- effective option solution for housing.

15