materiales compuestos de bambu para viviendas de bajo costo

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Bamboo Composite Materials for Low-Cost Housing

by

Trevor David Dagilis

A thesis submitted to the Department o f Civil Engineering

in conformity with the requirements for

the degree o f Doctor o f Philosophy

Queens University

Kingston, Ontario, Canada

September, 1999

Copyright Trevor David Dagilis, 1999

R eproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.

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Abstract

Investigation into the use o f bamboo in composite panels for low-cost housing is

presented.

Information on the housing situation, the state of the forest resources, and the needs for

low-cost housing are given for Ecuador, which is seen as representative o f countries with

a history o f bamboo use, and potential for further development.

Specifically bamboo particleboard using Guadua angustifolia, Dendrocalamus strictus,

Phyllostachys pubescens, and Bambusa vulgaris manufactured with steam injection

pressing is presented.

High strength panels including waferboard made from randomly placed and oriented

Bambusa vulgaris wafers, bamboo particleboard overlaid with woven bamboo mats, and

picada panels were developed.

Emphasis was given to short press times, low resin contents, and low product densities in

comparison with previous technology to ensure economic viability. This investigation is

a unique contribution to the science of composite products and has developed a number

of panel products that are both technically and economically feasible. A discussion of

economic, social and environmental issues surrounding bamboo industrialisation is also

presented.

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Acknowledgements

Over the course o f my graduate studies a great deal has happened in my professional and

personal life. First o f all, I wish to thank my parents. Without their love and support the

last few years would have been an impossible challenge.

In my recent years at Queens, many people shared in the joys o f pursuits, academic and

otherwise. Thanks to Ralph (Eric) Katmarian, David Moses, and Mark Franklin, and the

many other graduate students. In addition, I extend my gratitude to the Department o f

Civil Engineering secretaries who have helped me a great deal in many of my lifes

adventures.

My initial bamboo work was undertaken with the hopes of establishing a partnership

with the Costa Rican Building Research Center (CIVCO). Unfortunately, due to lack of

financial support our dreams were not realised, but many friendships remain. Special

thanks are extended to Eduardo Barquero, Alexandra Abarca, Katia Blanco, Mayela

Cespedes, and the other researchers at CIVCO, and their families, for their help,

friendship, and encouragement

In the course o f my field work, I have travelled to many places where I was blessed to

meet very special people. In Costa Rica I would like to give special thanks to Ale Abarca

and all o f her (growing) family.

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In Ecuador Arq. Jorge Moran provided me with guidance and encouragement for which I

am grateful. The staff at Hogar de Cristo opened their minds, offices, and their hearts to

my inquiries and questions. Thank-you to Hermano Roberto Costa, Tania Gonzalez, and

Arq. Mario Veas. Milton (Titi) Cedeno, and the others o f Alandaluz and Amingay

corporations helped me to face several o f lifes challenges, literally and figuratively.

Ecuador will always have a special place in my heart!

The Londono family in Colombia provided me with a bamboo retreat beyond

imagination. Their openness and friendship is one o f my greatest rewards from over the

past few years. The Centro Nacional para el Estudio del Bambu-Guadua was particularly

helpful. Their dedication to quality and sharing o f information is especially noted.

I also wish to thank the Bamboo Engineering Research Centre in Nanjing China, headed

by Professor Zhang Qisheng. With the support o f Professor Zhang and Professor Jiang

Shenxue I was able to learn a great deal about the state-of-the-art o f bamboo products in

China. I hope that their open approach, and pursuit o f research excellence, will continue

to be an example for the bamboo research institutions around the world.

The testing conducted in the course o f this study was performed with bamboo provided

by the Costa Rican National Bamboo Project (now called FUNBAMBU), West Wind

Technologies, Bamboo Hardwoods, Hogar de Cristo, and Sr. Mario Quinones. Many

thanks to them for their assistance.

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Due to confidentiality agreements, I can not name any o f my resin suppliers, but I wish to

thank them for their support over the years.

My testing program in the last several years was greatly enhanced with the assistance of

Sheila Earl, Paul Tschirky, and David Degagne. In their own way, each one taught me

something about character and integrity, and I am grateful for their help.

The world o f bamboo is a special place. While major governments, institutions, and

companies are not yet playing a large role, there are many people leading the way. I wish

to thank Gib Cooper, Karl Bareis, Milo Clark, Loriann Asmus, Steen Ostensen, and

Michele Moons. They are all special people whose strength, determination, and

commitment to their dreams are an example to be followed. While I am just getting to

know Simon Velez and Marcello Villegas, their commitment to detail and creativity has

expanded the envelope for the use o f bamboo. Their work demonstrates that we have

much to learn, and even more to attempt in the use o f bamboo.

Special thanks go to John Woods and Charles Wilson of WestWind Technology. They

also believe in a future enhanced by bamboo, and their efforts to make it happen with a

sense o f joy and pleasure for life bring happiness to many.

Pierre Vandelac and J.P. de Warlincourt also showed their dedication to a sustainable

future through their acts and encouragement. I thank them for their support and

friendship.

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My entire project would have been impossible to complete, let alone begin, without the

support o f FORINTEK Canada Corp. Two Managers o f Composites, Jack Shields and

Andre Denis, gave me time in the laboratory, support, guidance and helped me in every

way possible. The help and friendship o f many FORINTEK employees inspired me,

supported me in my steps towards the novel, and helped me push the envelopes of what

was possible with bamboo. Thanks to Ernest Hsu, Martin Legault, David Grant, Gerry

Bastien, Marcel Lefebvre and Trek Sean. Special appreciation is given to Odile Fleury,

Deirdre Moore and the other library staff

Over the course of this project, I have been fortunate to meet people that excel not only

in their professional life, but are also truly inspirational in their personal integrity,

creativity, brilliance, and dedication to their chosen activities. While each has helped me

with specific tasks, their impact on my life is far greater than an acknowledgement can

ever claim to represent Therefore, extra-special thanks is given to Ernest Hsu, Eduardo

Barquero, and Ximena Londono.

O f course the greatest inspiration of all is Dave Turcke, my supervisor and research

partner for the past many years. In spite o f lack of financial support from major

organisations, he managed to find the means to ensure that my studies could continue.

His commitment, originality, and guidance were superseded only by his patience and

encouragement as I learned through experience. I am forever grateful to him for his

support throughout my journey of learning.

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Table of Contents

ABSTRACT________________________________________________________________________________ I

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS...................................................................................................................................II

TABLE OF CONTENTS..................................................................................................................................... VI

LIST OF TABLES________________________________________________________________________ XI

LIST OF FIGURES............................................................................................................................................XIII

NOTATION.......................................................................................................................................................... XVI

1.0 INTRODUCTION AND METHODOLOGY........................................................................................... I

L I In t r o d u c t io n .........................................................................................................................................................................I

1.2 P h il o s o p h y ............................................................................................................................................................................2

l .3 St r u c t u r e o f T h e s is .........................................................................................................................................................5

2.0 THE NEED FOR ALTERNATIVE HOUSING MATERIALS: CASE STUDY ECUADOR 9

2. l In t r o d u c t io n t o E c u a d o r ............................................................................................................................................ 9

2.1.1 The State o f Housing Supply and Dem and .................................................................................................. 11

2.1.2 State o f the Housing Stock ....................................................................................................................................13

2.1.3 Land Tenure............................................................................................................................................................... 15

2.1.4 Financial and Economic Aspects o f Housing in Ecuador.....................................................................16

2.1.5 Sum m ary.....................................................................................................................................................................18

2 3 T r a d i t i o n a l H o u s in g C o n s t r u c t i o n T e c h n o lo g ie s in E c u a d o r ........................................................18

2.2.1 A National View ........................................................................................................................................................18

2 3 .1.1 T he S ierra.............................................................................................................................................................. 19

2.2.13 The Amazonia Region ...............................................................................................................................20

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2J2.1.3 The Coastal Zone................................................................................................................................ .21

2.2.2 Concrete and Masonry Construction................................................................................................. 23

2.2.3 Wood and Bamboo Frame Construction...........................................................................................25

2.23.1 Introduction----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- .25

2.23.2 Bahareque...................................................... 29

233.3 Case Study : Hogar de Cristos Wood and Bamboo Frame House....................................................33

2.2.4 Sum m ary....................................................................................................................................................38

2.3 B a m b o o a n d F o r e s t R e s o u r c e s in E c u a d o r .................................................................................................... 40

2.3.1 Forest Cover Statistics............................................................................................................................40

2.3.2 D eforestation ............................................................................................................................................41

2.3.3 Plantations and Reforestation............................................................................................................... 43

2.3.4 Bamboo Resources in Ecuador............................................................................................................. 44

23.4 .1 Bamboo Inventory............................................................................................................................... 44

23.4.2 Guadua Plantation Pamphlet............................................................................................................... 45

2.3.43 Non-Wood Forest Products Review....................................................................................................47

23.4.4 Estimated Bamboo Costs..................................................................................................................... 48

23.4.5 Bamboo as an Export Product.............................................................................................................49

2.3.5 Ecuadorian Wood Product M arkets....................................................................................................49

2.3.6 Summ ary................................................................................................................................................... 51

2 .4 S u m m a r y ............................................................................................................................................................................... 52

3.0 BAMBOO___________________________________________________________________ 55

3 .1 G e n e r a l In t r o d u c t io n ................................................................................................................................................. 55

3.1.1 Global Distribution o f Bamboo........................................................................................................... 59

3.1.2 Bamboo Yields......................................................................................................................................... 61

3.1.3 Total Biom ass...........................................................................................................................................61

3.1.4 Annual Yield............................................................................................................................................. 62

3.1.5 Propagation o f Bamboo.........................................................................................................................64

3.1.6 Summary o f Bamboo as a Raw M aterial........................................................................................... 66

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3 .2 A n a t o m y ............................................................................................................................................................................67

3.2.1 Exterior.....................................................................................................................................................68

3.2.2 Culm Composition................................................................................................................................. 69

3.2.3 Fibre Properties...................................................................................................................................... 70

3.2.4 Preservation o f Bamboo....................................................................................................................... 71

3.3 M a t e r ia l P r o p e r t ie s .................................................................................................................................................. 73

3.3.1 Testing Standards...................................................................................................................................73

3.3.2 Culm Mechanical Properties............................................................................................................... 73

3.3.3 M echanical Properties o f Splits.......................................................................................................... 75

3.4 S u m m a r y ........................................................................................................................................................................... 77

4.0 TRADITIONAL USES OF BAMBOO................................................................................................. 78

4 . l G e n e r a l O v e r v ie w o f B a m b o o W ith R e s p e c t t o C o n s t r u c t io n .......................................................78

4 .2 T r a d it io n a l C o n s t r u c t io n w ith B a m b o o ...................................................................................................... 78

4.3 T h e St a t e o f t h e A r t o f B a m b o o in C o n s t r u c t io n a n d B a m b o o C o m p o s it e s ............................84

4.3.1 Bamboo Reinforced Concrete............................................................................................................. 85

4.3.2 Bamboo Strip Composites....................................................................................................................87

4.3 72.1 Bamboo Mat Board (BMB).................................................................................................................89

43.2.2 Plybamboo........................................................................................................................................... 92

4.3.3 Bamboo Composite Panels..................................................................................................................96

4.3 3.1 Bamboo Particleboard.........................................................................................................................96

4 3 3 3 Bamboo MDF.....................................................................................................................................101

4.3.3.3 Bamboo Waferboard......................................................................................................................... 102

4.3.3.4 Other Composite Panels....................................................................................................................103

4 .4 S u m m a r y .........................................................................................................................................................................104

5.0 BAMBOO PARTICLEBOARD: BASELINE STUDY__________________________________106

5.1 In t r o d u c t io n ............................................................................................................................................................... 106

5.2 A im s o f T h is S t u d y ....................................................................................................................................................109

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5.3 Re s e a r c h P r o g r a m ....................................................................................................................................................... 114

5 .4 T e s t in g P r o g r a m & R e s u l t s ...................................................................................................................................116

5 .5 St a t ist ic a l M o d e l s o f B a m b o o P a r t ic l e b o a r d P e r f o r m a n c e ......................................................... 121

5.6 D is c u ss io n o f Re s u l t s ................................................................................................................................................ 127

5 .7 C o n c l u s io n s .....................................................................................................................................................................129

6.0 PARTICLEBOARD MADE WITH OTHER GLOBALLY IMPORTANT BAMBOO

SPECIES ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------131

6. l In t r o d u c t io n ....................................................................................................................................................................131

6. l T e s t in g P r o g r a m ............................................................................................................................................................ 133

6.2 Re s u l t s a n d D is c u s s io n ............................................................................................................................................ 136

6.3 C o n c l u s io n s .....................................................................................................................................................................150

7.0 HIGH STRENGTH PANELS............................................................................................................ 152

7.1 In t r o d u c t io n ....................................................................................................................................................................152

7 .2 W a f e r b o a r d .....................................................................................................................................................................154

7.2.1 Background..............................................................................................................................................154

7.1.2 Testing Program and Results............................................................................................................156

1 2 O v e r l a i d B a m b o o P a r t i c l e b o a r d ...................................................................................................................... 164

7.2.1 Background............................................................................................................................................. 164

7.2.2 Testing Program and Restdts............................................................................................................166

7 3 P ic a d a P a n e l s ................................................................................................................................................................... 168

7.3.1 Background..............................................................................................................................................168

7.3.2 Testing Program and Residts............................................................................................................170

7.4 C o n c l u s io n s .....................................................................................................................................................................175

8.0 ENVIRONMENTAL, ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL IMPACTS OF THE

COMMERCIALISATION OF COMPOSITE BAMBOO PRODUCTS________________________ 178

8.1 In t r o d u c t io n ....................................................................................................................................................................178

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83 S u s t a i n a b l e D e v e l o p m e n t .................................................................................................................................... 179

8.3 S m a l l is B e a u t if u l ...................................................................................................................................................... 181

8.4 C h o ic e s B e t w e e n M a t e r ia l s ................................................................................................................................ 182

8.5 C o n c r e t e , W o o d a n d St e e l ...................................................................................................................................184

8.6 T h e U s e o f W o o d ..........................................................................................................................................................188

8.7 N a t u r a l F ib r e S o u r c e s ............................................................................................................................................191

8.8 T h e D e m a n d f o r W o o d P r o d u c t s ......................................................................................................................192

8.9 P r o d u c t io n C o s t s ....................................................................................................................................................... 194

8.10 La r g e -S c a l e B e n e f it s o f B a m b o o ................................................................................................................ 198

8.11 is B a m b o o In d u s t r ia l is a t io n S u st a in a b l e? ...........................................................................................200

8.12 T e c h n o lo g ie s S u b s t i t u t i n g B a m b o o f o r W o o d .................................................................................3.01

8.13 C o n c l u s io n s ...................................................................................................................................... .202

9.0 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS...............................................................................204

9.1 Re s e a r c h in P e r s p e c t iv e ........................................................................................................................................ 2 0 4

9.2 F u t u r e W o r k ............................................................................................................................................................... 306

10.0 REFERENCES...............................................................................................................209

APPENDIX A: NORTH AMERICAN PARTICLEBOARD AND STRUCTURAL COMPOSITE

PRODUCT STANDARDS__________________________________________________________ 228

VITA.............. 230

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List of Tables

T a b l e I : P o p u l a t io n a n d A r e a St a t ist ic s o f E c u a d o r ............................................................................................. 10

T a b l e 2 : H o u s in g D e f ic it Sta tistic s f o r E c u a d o r .........................................................................................................11

T a b l e 3: G u a y a q u il A r e a D a t a o f H o u s in g D e f ic it , 198 2 ........................................................................................ 14

T a b l e 4 : H o u s in g T e n a n c y in M e t r o p o l i t a n Q u i to , 19 9 0 ........................................................................................ 15

T a b l e 5 : F in a n c ia l R e q u ir e m e n t s o f H o u s in g P r o g r a m s in E c u a d o r ...............................................................16

T a b l e 6 : P r iv a t e C r e d it M a r k e t s in E c u a d o r .................................................................................................................17

T a b l e 7: P r e d o m in a n t H o u s in g B u i ld in g M a t e r i a l s in G u a y a q u i l , 1 9 8 2 ...................................................... 22

T a b l e 8 : C o n s t r u c t io n C o s t s o f C o n c r e t e So c ia l H o u s in g in G u a y a q u il ....................................................24

T a b l e 9: B r e a k d o w n o f C o s t s o f a H o g a r d e C r is t o H o u s e .................................................................................. 38

T a b l e 10: L a n d U s e in E c u a d o r ............................................................................................................................................... 40

T a b l e 11: R e f o r e s t a t io n in Ec u a d o r .................................................................................................................................. 43

T a b l e 12: M a r k e t P r ic e s o f B a m b o o in M a n a b i a t C o n s t r u c t io n M a t e r ia l Y a r d s ................................48

T a b l e 13: P r o d u c t io n , Im p o r t a t io n , E x p o r t a t io n , a n d A p p a r e n t C o n s u m p t io n o f W o o d Pr o d u c ts

in Ec u a d o r , 1 9 9 2 .................................................................................................................................................................. 50

T a b l e 14: M e c h a n ic a l P r o p e r t ie s o f B a m b o o a n d S e l e c t e d W o o d S p e c ie s ..................................................76

T a b l e 15: B a m b o o P a r t ic l e b o a r d Re s u l t s ...................................................................................................................... 98

T a b l e 16: C h in e s e B a m b o o Pa r t ic l e b o a r d P r o p e r t ie s ..............................................................................................99

T a b l e 17: P r o p e r t ie s o f M a l a y sia n B a m b o o P a r t ic l e b o a r d s ........................................................................... 100

T a b l e 1 8 : W a f e r b o a r d P r o d u c e d w i th P h y l l o s t a c h y s p u b e s c e n s .................................................................. 102

T a b l e 19: In it ia l B a m b o o P a r t ic l e b o a r d Re s u l t s in C o n t e x t ........................................................................... 127

T a b l e 20 : P h y s ic a l C h a r a c t e r is t ic s o f B a m b o o C o r e P a r t ic l e s ..................................................................... 133

T a b l e 21 : Su m m a r y o f B a m b o o P a r t ic l e b o a r d P r o p e r t ie s ..................................................................................145

T a b l e 22 : R e g r e s s io n Es t im a t e s f o r P a r t ic l e b o a r d P r o p e r t ie s (850 k g / m 3, 5 % r esin ) ....................... 146

T a b l e 23 : P h y s ic a l P r o p e r t ie s o f B a m b o o W a f e r s ....................................................................................................155

T a b l e 24: S u m m a r y o f B a m b o o W a f e r b o a r d P r o p e r t ie s ..................................................................................... 163

T a b l e 25: R e s u l t s o f Ba m b o o Pa r t ic l e b o a r d O v e r l a id w ith W o v e n B a m b o o M a t s ........................... 167x i


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T a b l e 26 : A v e r a g e P e r f o r m a n c e V a lu es o f P ic a d a Pa n e l s .................................................................................172

Ta b l e 2 7 : Ro u n d w o o d Y ie l d E f fic ie n c y f o r W o o d P r o d u c t s .............................................................................190

T a b l e 2 8 : A p p a r e n t C o n s u m p t io n o f W o o d - b a se d Pa n e l s (ex c l u d in g v e n e e r s h e e t s ) in N o r t h

A m e r ic a , 1991 t o 199 5 .....................................................................................................................................................193

T a b l e 29 : P a r t ic l e b o a r d M a r k e t P r o je c t io n s in USA ............................................................................................ 194

T a b l e 3 0 : OSB M a r k e t P r o j e c t i o n s in U S A ..................................................................................................................194

T a b l e 31: Es t im a t e d P r o d u c t io n C o sts (U S D /m3) ...................................................................................................... 195

T a b l e 3 2 : C a n a d i a n S t a n d a r d 0 4 3 7 .0 -9 3 (CSA, 199 3 ).............................................................................................228

T a b l e 33 : ANSI A 208.1-1993 P a r t ic l e b o a r d St a n d a r d .........................................................................................229

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List of Figures

F ig u r e I : P r o d u c t s D e v e l o p e d in T h is T h e s is ...................................................................................................................... l

F ig u r e 2 : Lo w -C o s t B a m b o o H o u s in g in E c u a d o r ........................................................................................................... .2

F ig u r e 3 : Ra w M a t e r ia l U til isa t io n M o d e l ......................................................................................................................... 4

F ig u r e 4 : T h e T h r e e M a in C l im a t ic R e g io n s o f E c u a d o r ..........................................................................................I o

F ig u r e 5 : I n v a s io n S u b d iv is io n ................................................................................................................................................. 2.6

F ig u r e 6 : A B a m b o o H o u s e Pa in t e d w ith a C o n c r e t e B l o c k D e s ig n ................................................................. .28

F ig u r e 7 : A B a m b o o H o u s e B e in g U p g r a d e d w it h C o n c r e t e B l o c k W a l l s ....................................................29

F ig u r e 8 : A B a h a r e q u e A s s e m b l y ( w it h l o o s e l y w o v e n l a t h p ie c e s ) ............................................................... 3 1

F ig u r e 9 : A T y p ic a l Q u in c h a A s s e m b l y ............................................................................................................................... 32

F ig u r e 10 : D o o r A s s e m b l y a t H o g a r d e C r is t o Fa c t o r y .......................................................................................... 34

F ig u r e 1 1: W a l l P a n e l A s s e m b l y a t t h e H o g a r d e C r is t o F a c t o r y .................................................................. 35

F ig u r e 12: Lo a d in g a H o g a r d e C r is t o H o u s e K i t ..........................................................................................................36

F ig u r e 13: A s s e m b l y o f a H o g a r d e C r isto H o u s e ........................................................................................................ 37

F ig u r e 14: Lo w e r s e c t io n o f b a m b o o (c r o s s -s e c t io n ) .................................................................................................56

F ig u r e 15: G u a d u a a n g u st jf o l ia - A C lu m p in g B a m b o o .............................................................................................. 56

F ig u r e 16: P h y l l o s t a c h y s p u b e s c e n s (M o s o ) - A R u n n in g B a m b o o ...................................................................... 57

F ig u r e 17: H s iu n g G l o b a l D is t r ib u t io n o f B a m b o o ...................................................................................................... 59

F ig u r e 18: W a t a n a b e s G l o b a l D is t r ib u t io n o f B a m b o o ......................................................................................... 60

F ig u r e 19: A s e x u a l P r o p a g a t io n o f B a m b o o .................................................................................................................... 66

F ig u r e 2 0 : D if f e r e n t B a m b o o S pe c ie s w it h D if f e r in g In t e r n o d a l P r o p e r t ie s ..............................................67

F ig u r e 2 1 : H o r iz o n t a l C r o s s -S e c h o n ................................................................................................................................... 68

F ig u r e 2 2 : V e r t ic a l C r o s s -S e c t io n o f a .............................................................................................................................. 68

F ig u r e 2 3 : B a m b o o C u l m W a l l ................................................................................................................................................. 69

F ig u r e 2 4 : B o u c h e r ie P r e s e r v a t io n M e t h o d .................................................................................................................... 72

F ig u r e 2 5 : B a m b o o P o s t a n d B ea m C o n s t r u c t io n .........................................................................................................80

F ig u r e 2 6 : A T y p ic a l C o n n e c t io n ............................................................................................................................................81xiii


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F ig u r e 2 7 : A n E n g in e e r e d J o i n t ............................................................................................................................................... 82

F ig u r e 2 8 : M o d e r n S pl it s a r e Pl a n e d a n d S q u a r e d .................................................................................................... 88

F ig u r e 2 9 : T r a d it io n a l M e t h o d o f C u ttin g S p l it s ........................................................................................................ 89

F ig u r e 3 0 : B a m b o o M a t b o a r d ................................................................................................................................................... 90

F ig u r e 3 1 : P l y b a m b o o W it h A d ja c e n t La y e r s o f B a m b o o P l a c e d O r t h o g o n a l l y ..................................92

F ig u r e 32 : T e s t in g S a m p l e s ........................................................................................................................................................117

F ig u r e 33 : B e n d in g T e s t .............................................................................................................................................................. 117

F ig u r e 34 : IB T e s t .............................................................................................................................................................................1 17

F ig u r e 3 5 : G u a d u a a n g u s t if o u a M O R R e s u l t s ..............................................................................................................1 19

F ig u r e 3 6 : G u a d u a a n g u s t if o u a M O E R e s u l t s ..............................................................................................................119

F ig u r e 3 7 : G u a d u a a n g u s t if o u a IB R e s u l t s ...................................................................................................................120

F ig u r e 3 8 : G u a d u a a n g u s t if o u a T h ic k n e s s S w e l l i n g R e s u l t s ............................................................................ 120

F ig u r e 39 : G u a d u a a n g u s t if o u a M O R R e g r e s s io n S u r f a c e ( E q u a t io n 5 .2 a ) ...............................................125

F ig u r e 4 0 : G u a d u a a n g u s t if o u a M O E R e g r e s s io n S u r f a c e ( E q u a t io n 5 .3 b ) ...............................................125

F ig u r e 4 1: G u a d u a a n g u s t if o u a IB R e g r e s s io n S u r f a c e ( E q u a t io n 5 .4 a ) ..................................................... 126

F ig u r e 42 : G u a d u a a n g u s t if o u a T S R e g re s s io n S u r f a c e ( E q u a t io n 5 .5 b ) ....................................................126

F ig u r e 43 : D e n d r o c a l a m u s s t r ic t u s M O R R e s u l t s ...................................................................................................... 137

F ig u r e 4 4 : D e n d r o c a l a m u s s t r ic t u s M O E R e s u l t s ...................................................................................................... 137

F ig u r e 4 5 : D e n d r o c a l a m u s s t r ic t u s IB R e s u l t s .............................................................................................................138

F ig u r e 4 6 : D e n d r o c a l a m u s s t r ic t u s T h ic k n e s s S w e l l i n g R e s u l t s .....................................................................138

F ig u r e 4 7 : Ph y l l o s t a c h y s p u b e s c e n s M O R R e s u l t s ................................................................................................... 139

F ig u r e 4 8 : P h y l l o s t a c h y s p u b e s c e n s MOE R e s u l t s .....................................................................................................139

F ig u r e 4 9 : P h y u o s t a c h y s p u b e s c e n s IB R e s u l t s .......................................................................................................... 140

F ig u r e 50: P h y l l o s t a c h y s p u b e s c e n s T h ic k n e s s S w e l l i n g R e s u l t s ............................. 140

F ig u r e 51 : Ba m b u s a v u l g a r is M O R R e s u l t s ..................................................................................................................... 141

F ig u r e 52: Ba m b u s a v u l g a r is M O E R e s u l t s ..................................................................................................................... 141

F ig u r e 53 : B a m b u s a v u l g a r is IB R e s u l t s ............................................................................................................................142

F ig u r e 54: Ba m b u s a v u l g a r is T h ic k n e s s S w e l l in g R e s u l t s ....................................................................................142

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F ig u r e 55: B a m b o o W a f e r b o a r d ........................................................................................................................................... 156

F ig u r e 56 : B a m b u sa v u l g a r is W a f e r b o a r d M O R R e s u l t s ...................................................................................... 159

F ig u r e 57 : Ba m b u sa v u l g a r is W a f e r b o a r d M O E R e s u l t s ....................................................................................... 159

F ig u r e 58 : B a m b u sa v u l g a r is W a f e r b o a r d IB R e s u l t s ..............................................................................................160

F ig u r e 59 : Ba m b u sa v u l g a r is W a f e r b o a r d T h ic k n e s s S w e l l i n g R e s u l t s ...................................................... 160

F ig u r e 60 : Ba m b u sa v u l g a r is O r i e n t e d W a f e r b o a r d M O R R e s u l t s ................................................................ 161

F ig u r e 61 : Ba m b u sa v u l g a r is O r i e n t e d W a f e r b o a r d M O E R e s u l t s ................................................................ 161

F ig u re 62 : B a m b u sa v u l g a r is O r i e n t e d W a f e r b o a r d IB R e s u l t s ..................................................................... 162

F ig u r e 63 : B a m b u sa v u l g a r is O r i e n t e d W a f e r b o a r d T S R e s u l t s .......................................................................162

F ig u r e 64 : B a m b o o P a r t ic l e b o a r d O v er la id w it h W o v e n B a m b o o M a t s ................................................... 165

F ig u r e 65 : P r e p a r a t io n o f B a m b o o P ic a d a ......................................................................................................................169

F ig u r e 66 : T h r e e La y e r P e r p e n d ic u l a r P ic a d a P a n e l ..............................................................................................172

F ig u r e 67 : C o m p a r a t iv e C a r b o n D io x id e E m is s io n s ...................................................................................................186

F ig u r e 68: O t h e r A ir E m is s io n s ..............................................................................................................................................186

F ig u r e 6 9 :.C o m p a r a t iv e E n e r g y U s e .................................................................................................................................. 187

F ig u r e 70 : C o m p a r a t iv e S o l id W a s t e s .............................................................................................................................. 187

FIGURE71 : W a t e r D e m a n d ...................................................................................................................................................... 187

F ig u r e 72 : R a w M a t e r ia l U til isa t io n M o d e l ...............................................................................................................-204

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Notation

BS British Standard

CBPB cement bonded particleboard

CDN Canadian

IB internal bond

F degrees Fahrenheit

GDP gross domestic product

MDF medium density fibreboard

MOE modulus o f elasticity

MOR modulus o f rupture

OD oven dry

OSB oriented strand board

PB particleboard

PF Phenol Formaldehyde

psi pounds per square inch

TS thickness swelling

SG specific gravity

SW screw withdrawal force

UF Urea Formaldehyde

USD United States o f America dollar

WA water absorption

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J_ perpendicular (this normally is associated with testing of bending samples

and indicates that the alignment o f the bamboo in the bottom layer o f the

testing sample is perpendicular to the long dimension of the bending

sample)

// parallel (similar to the explanation above, except the bamboo in the

bottom layer o f the testing sample is parallel to the long dimension of the

bending sample)

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1.0 Introduction and Methodology

1.1 Introduction

This thesis, based on several years of field and laboratory investigation, is intended to

fulfil several objectives. Firstly, it provides a background to bamboo and a review of

much of the hard-to-find information relevant to the development of bamboo as a raw

material, with specific attention given to low-cost housing.

Secondly, the specific testing conducted in the area of bamboo composites provides

details of comprehensive and unique testing. While commercial operations of some

bamboo panel products exist in China, they are often uneconomical and therefore have

been limited in their application outside o f niche markets. Through the development of

economically viable products (Figure 1) that meet internationally recognised standards,

this thesis provides new insight into the commercial possibilities o f bamboo panel

products.

Figure 1: Products Developed in This Thesis

Bamboo particleboard, bamboo waferboard, picada panels, and bamboo particleboard overlaid with bamboo mats are depicted.

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Thirdly, this work provides practical and viable alternatives to meet global pressures of

low-cost housing (Figure 2), through an approach that recognises and respects

environmental protection, limited fibre supply, and issues of socio-economic

development in bamboo regions.

Figure 2: Low-Cost Bamboo Housing in Ecuador

1.2 Philosophy

The work presented in this thesis is intended to go beyond the conventional scope of civil

engineering research in which building materials, or systems, are created and tested.

Throughout the research concern has been given to the applicability of the outcomes in

solving the specific problem of low-cost housing.

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After initial research into conventional, and some might say appropriate technology of

building with bamboo (e.g. post and beam), it was recognised that the material faces

large obstacles before it could ever be accepted into modem building codes, thereby

limiting the potential for bamboo in large-scale housing development projects.

The production o f composites, however, has been shown throughout the world as useful

in utilising undesirable tree species, and agricultural waste. Through controlled

manufacturing processes, raw materials with large variability in properties, or simply

inappropriate properties, can be converted to products o f a specified size, shape, and

performance level.

With that in mind, the testing results were always compared with properties of

construction panels commonly available. In addition, the opportunities o f export to

. international markets may be a critical factor in the financial viability o f a commercial

operation implementing bamboo composite technology, and therefore the panels

developed were compared with the product standards for fumiture-grade particleboards.

The Raw Material Utilisation Model (Figure 3) represents the interdependence of the

competing factors in this research. Given a new raw material such as bamboo, the

market, product, and manufacturing process all must be adjusted to allow for successful

utilisation o f the raw material. The inherent properties o f bamboo (e.g. high density) can

effect the major manufacturing variables, the basic properties o f the product, and

therefore its application and desirability in the marketplace.

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materiales compuestos de bambu para viviendas de bajo costo

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