Steel as a reinforcing material is a demand that is increasing day by day in most developing countries. There are situations when the production is not found enough to face the demand for steel.

Hence it is essential to have an alternative that is worth compared to steel. Bamboo is found in abundance, they are resilient and hence these can face the demand as a reinforcing material and become an ideal replacement for steel.

The tensile strength property which is the main requirement of reinforcing material is seen appreciable for bamboo, compared with other materials including steel. The structure of bamboo from its origin gives this property.

The hollow tubular structure has high resistance against wind forces when it is in its natural habitat. Working on the weak points of bamboo and bringing up the innovation of bamboo as a structural steel replacement, would be a great alternative.

Advantages of Bamboo in Reinforcement

1. Bamboo is an extremely strong natural fiber.
2. It has high tensile strength.
3. Due to its hollow structure, it is highly flexible.
4. Lightweight compared to steel.
5. Low cost and environment-friendly.
6. It has a great shock-absorbing capacity.

Disadvantages of Bamboo in Reinforcement

The biggest part which discourages the use of bamboo as reinforcement is its disadvantages.

1. Less durable than steel, cannot be used in a permanent structure.
2. Shrinking problems.
3. More prone to environmental degradation and insect attack.
4. Cannot be used in cold climates.
5. It does not have a longer life compared to steel.
6. Low modulus of elasticity, poor adherence to the concrete mix.
7. Due to the lower modulus of elasticity, it can crack and deflect more than steel reinforcement.

Selection of Bamboo for Reinforced Concrete Construction

Selection of bamboo for reinforcement can be done based on these factors

Color and Age – Employ bamboo having an evident brown color. This shows the age of bamboo to be at least 3 years.

Diameter – Use the one with long large culms.

Harvesting – Try to avoid those bamboos that are cut either during the spring or summer seasons.

Species – Among 1500 species of bamboo, the best one must be checked, tested to satisfy the requirement as a reinforcing material.

Click Here To See 30 The Most Creative Planters Made Out Of Bamboo