Bamboo is a rapidly renewable material that is available globally and comparable in strength to modern structural materials. The widespread use of bamboo in construction is limited by the inherent variability in its geometric and mechanical properties, and the lack of standardisation. Engineered bamboo aims to reduce the variability of the natural material and is processed and manufactured into laminated composites. Although the composites have mechanical properties similar to other structural materials, the products are currently limited to architectural applications. A field of research on engineering bamboo is emerging with the aim to demonstrate and expand its use to structural applications. To summarise the state of the art, a review of published research is presented with the focus on two types of engineered bamboo: bamboo scrimber and laminated bamboo. The materials are compared with structural timber and laminated veneer lumber to demonstrate the potential applications and practical use.
Here we characterise the thermal properties of engineered bamboo panels produced in Canada, China, and Colombia. Specimens are processed from either Moso or Guadua bamboo into multi-layered panels for use as cladding, flooring or walling. We utilise the transient plane source method to measure their thermal properties and confirm a linear relationship between density and thermal conductivity. Furthermore, we predict the thermal conductivity of a three-phase composite material, as these engineered bamboo products can be described, using micromechanical analysis. This provides important insights on density-thermal conductivity relations in bamboo, and for the first time, enables us to determine the fundamental thermal properties of the bamboo cell wall. Moreover, the density-conductivity relations in bamboo and engineered bamboo products are compared to wood and other engineered wood products. We find that bamboo composites present specific characteristics, for example lower conductivities-particularly at high density-than equivalent timber products. These characteristics are potentially of great interest for low-energy building design. This manuscript fills a gap in existing knowledge on the thermal transport properties of engineered bamboo products, which is critical for both material development and building design.
In recent years, there has been a rapid rise in the development of engineered bamboo materials, which have the potential to play an important role as alternatives to conventional building materials. Despite the growing diversity of bamboo products available on the market, the international standardization of both bamboo products and their constituent elements is limited, and a lack of universal nomenclature is recognized as one of the main constraints on developing standards. Similar or identical terminology is used interchangeably to describe different bamboo elements, processes, or products across sectors and continents. In some cases, translated colloquial names are misleading and scientifically inaccurate, which forms a barrier to global collaboration and research, creates ambiguity, and potentially limits trade. The present work aims to address this gap by proposing a set of appropriate terms in English that accurately describe and differentiate between currently produced engineered bamboo products and their constituent elements, accompanied by parallel terms in Chinese and Spanish. From these, new categories of engineered bamboo building materials are proposed for the Harmonized System of product codes. This paper highlights current ambiguities and provides terminology together with clear definitions of the main primary elements, processing steps, and products.
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.
We study optical feedback mechanisms occurring during growth of multi-walled carbon nanotube forests on transparent substrates. Growth is realised via laser-induced chemical vapour deposition using iron nanoparticle catalysts. In situ Raman and reflection spectroscopy employed clearly distinguish three growth phases. In the initial seed phase, growth of carbon nanostructures increases the laser absorption and this feedback enables growth of radially orientated carbon nanotubes. Understanding the laser interaction with the growing nanostructure holds the key towards controlled growth and opens up new routes to nanostructure and nanodevice design and fabrication.
The concept of co-catalytic layer structures for controlled laser-induced chemical vapor deposition of carbon nanotubes is established, in which a thin Ta support layer chemically aids the initial Fe catalyst reduction. This enables a significant reduction in laser power, preventing detrimental positive optical feedback and allowing improved growth control. Systematic study of experimental parameters combined with simple thermostatic modeling establishes general guidelines for the effective design of such catalyst/absorption layer combinations. Local growth of vertically aligned carbon nanotube forests directly on flexible polyimide substrates is demonstrated, opening up new routes for nanodevice design and fabrication.
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