Abstract

In recent years, the demand for high-quality wood for construction has risen due to the growing world population and increasing consumption per capita. This has been compounded by sawn lumber from the natural forest being banned because of environmental concerns. Consequently, the search for substitute raw materials has gained importance. Any alternative material should be economical, fast-growing, have comparable strength and properties, and be environmentally friendly. Bamboo has been receiving considerable attention as such a raw material. Bamboo is one of the most important non-wood species that grows abundantly in most tropical and subtropical regions. The bamboo culm, the aboveground part of bamboo, is one of the oldest and most versatile building materials used in many construction applications, particularly in developing countries where bamboo is called the “poor man’s timber” due to its fundamental utilization in human communities. It is well-accepted that bamboo culms are a renewable and lightweight material with high strength. Therefore, they can be used in building applications, such as scaf-folding, flooring, walls, windows, doors, ceilings, roofs, rafters, and trusses. Bamboo culms are an environmental-friendly alternative to traditional building materials, such as concrete and steel.