Nomenclature for Engineered Bamboo

Abstract

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.

Thermal conductivity of engineered bamboo composites

“…The polymer matrix weight fraction w m was obtained from the material manufacturers to range between 5 and 15 wt% with the median at 8 wt%; the wide range is indicative of the inexact manufacturing process employed, particularly in producing bamboo-oriented strand board. Assuming a density q m of 1250 kg/m 3 for phenol formaldehyde [16], a commonly used resin in engineered bamboo composites manufacture [6], the polymer matrix volume fraction v m was calculated using Eq. 1.…”

“…Due to the highly axially oriented cellulose microfibrils within bamboo cells, and cells that form longitudinal vascular bundles within ground tissue (parenchyma), bamboo is stronger in axial tension and axial compression than timber [1]. To take advantage of this, various advancements have been made over the past decade in the development of engineered bamboo products, such as laminated bamboo, bamboo scrimber, and bamboo-oriented strand board [6], in some ways mimicking the fundamental concepts behind engineered wood products [7], for the rapid construction of low-embodied energy buildings.…”

Effects of One-Step Hot Oil Treatment on the Physical, Mechanical, and Surface Properties of Bamboo Scrimber

“…As a material with a short growth cycle, bamboo resources are widely distributed in the Asia-pacific region, the Americas, and Africa. Bamboo is a light and high-strength material often used for building materials, musical instruments, stationery, farm tools, and crafts [ 1 , 2 ]. The efficient use of bamboo can ensure the adequate supply of world fiber products.…”

The Influence of Media Treatments on Color Changes, Dimensional Stability, and Cracking Behavior of Bamboo Scrimber

“…Bamboo scrimbers are increasingly explored as a material with significant potential for construction applications [1]. Bamboo scrimbers could be the ideal materials to fulfil the demand of wood in the construction sector because bamboo grows rapidly and matures to structural strength within 3-5 years [2].…”