Bamboo construction

{{Short description|Utilization of bamboo for construction}} thumb|right|alt= house from Bambou Habitat|House made entirely of bamboo

'''Bamboo construction''' involves the use of bamboo as a building material for scaffolding, bridges, houses and buildings. In many parts of Asia, Africa and Latin America, it works as a low-cost alternative to timber and steel for certain structures. Bamboo, like wood, is a natural composite material with a high strength-to-weight ratio useful for structures.<ref name=Lakkad>{{cite journal |title=Mechanical properties of bamboo, a natural composite |last1=Lakkad |last2=P. |journal=Fibre Science and Technology |volume=14 |issue=4 |date=June 1981 |pages=319–322 |doi=10.1016/0015-0568(81)90023-3}}</ref> Bamboo's strength-to-weight ratio is similar to timber, and its strength is generally similar to a strong softwood or hardwood timber.<ref name=Kaminski1>{{cite journal |title=Structural use of bamboo. Part 1: Introduction to bamboo|last1=Kaminski|first1=S.|last2=Lawrence|first2=A.|last3=Trujillo|first3=D.|journal=The Structural Engineer |volume=94 |issue=8 |date=2016 |pages=40–43 |doi=10.56330/PNSC8891 |url=https://pureportal.coventry.ac.uk/en/publications/structural-use-of-bamboo-part-1-introduction-to-bamboo(963a8197-4a5b-4282-9da7-ab074bc6a8b5).html }}</ref><ref name=Kaminski2>{{cite journal |title=Structural use of bamboo. Part 3: Design values|last1=Kaminski|first1=S.|last2=Lawrence|first2=A.|last3=Trujillo|first3=D.|last4=Feltham|first4=I.|last5=Felipe López|first5=L.|journal=The Structural Engineer |volume=94 |issue=12 |date=2016 |pages=42–45 |doi=10.56330/JCLL5610 }}</ref>

==Historic use of bamboo for construction== In its natural form, bamboo as a construction material is traditionally associated with the cultures of South Asia, East Asia, the South Pacific, and Central and South America. In China and India, bamboo was used to hold up simple suspension bridges, either by making cables of split bamboo or twisting whole culms of sufficiently pliable bamboo together. One such bridge in the area of Qian-Xian is referenced in writings dating back to 960 AD and may have stood since as far back as the third century BC, due largely to continuous maintenance.

Bamboo has also long been used as scaffolding; the practice has been banned in mainland China for buildings over six stories, but is still in continuous use for skyscrapers in Hong Kong.<ref name="nytimes">{{cite news |first=Mark |last=Landler |title=Hong Kong Journal; For Raising Skyscrapers, Bamboo Does Nicely |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2002/03/27/world/hong-kong-journal-for-raising-skyscrapers-bamboo-does-nicely.html |work=New York Times |date=27 March 2002 |access-date=12 August 2009}}</ref>

[[File:Amakan (woven split bamboo panels) from the Philippines 06.jpg|thumb|''Amakan'' walls in the Philippines, a traditional panel made from split and woven bamboo]] In the Philippines, the ''bahay kubo'' (also known as the "nipa hut") is a fairly typical example of traditional housing where bamboo is extensively used; the walls are split and woven bamboo known as ''amakan'', bamboo poles may be used as structural posts and beams, the flooring can be made from split bamboo planks (overlaid with woven ''banig'' mats), and the roof can be made from halved bamboo sections known as {{lang|tl|kalaka}}. Many of these elements are deliberately light and permeable, allowing air to enter and circulate. Traditionally, bamboo structures in the Philippines are put together without nails, relying on fitted joints and bamboo pegs.<ref name="Golden">{{cite book |last1=Golden |first1=Elizabeth M. |title=Building from Tradition Local Materials and Methods in Contemporary Architecture |date=2017 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=978-1-317-43728-4}}</ref><ref name="agri">{{cite news |title=The many uses of Beema bamboo |url=https://agriculture.com.ph/2021/08/15/the-many-uses-of-beema-bamboo/ |access-date=9 April 2025 |work=Agriculture Magazine |date=15 August 2021}}</ref><ref name="dswd">{{cite web |title=Batuan SLPA produces amakan for local and national trades |url=https://fo7.dswd.gov.ph/batuan-slpa-produces-amakan-for-local-and-national-trades/ |website=GOVPH |date=28 June 2018 |publisher=Department of Social Welfare and Development, Republic of the Philippines |access-date=23 April 2021}}</ref>

In Japanese architecture, bamboo is used primarily as a supplemental and/or decorative element in buildings such as fencing, fountains, grates and gutters, largely due to the ready abundance of quality timber.<ref name="BambooJapan">{{cite book |author1=Nancy Moore Bess |author2=Bibi Wein |title=Bamboo In Japan |publisher=Kodansha International |year=1987 |isbn=4-7700-2510-6 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UukQ2LaaP0wC&pg=PA101 |page=101 }}</ref>

[[File:BambooConstructionHongKong.jpg|thumb|left|Bamboo scaffolding can reach great heights.]]

In parts of India, bamboo is used for drying clothes indoors, both as a rod high up near the ceiling to hang clothes on, and as a stick wielded with acquired expert skill to hoist, spread, and to take down the clothes when dry. It is also commonly used to make ladders, which apart from their normal function, are also used for carrying bodies in funerals. In Maharashtra, the bamboo groves and forests are called Veluvana, the name ''velu'' for bamboo is most likely from Sanskrit, while ''vana'' means forest. Furthermore, bamboo is also used to create flagpoles.

In Central and South America, bamboo has formed an essential part of the construction culture.<ref name=Trujillo>{{cite journal |title=Bamboo structures in Colombia|last=Trujillo |first=D. |journal=The Structural Engineer |date=2007 }}</ref> Vernacular forms of housing such as bahareque have developed that use bamboo in highly seismic areas. When well-maintained and in good condition, these have been found to perform surprisingly well in earthquakes.<ref name="López">{{cite journal |title=The seismic performance of bahareque dwellings in El Salvador |last1=López|first1=M.|last2=Bommer|first2=J.|last3=Méndez|first3=P. |journal=Proceedings of 13th World Conference on Earthquake Engineering, Vancouver, Canada, Paper 2646 |date=2004 }}</ref>

==Modern use of bamboo round poles for construction== Over the past few decades, there has been a growing interest in using bamboo round poles for construction, primarily because of its sustainability. Famous bamboo architects and builders include Simón Velez, Marcelo Villegas, Oscar Hidalgo-López, Jörg Stamm, Vo Trong Nghia, Elora Hardy and John Hardy. To date, the most high-profile bamboo construction projects have tended to be in Vietnam, Bali (Indonesia), China and Colombia. The greatest advancements in structural use of bamboo have been in Colombia, where Universities have been conducting significant research into element and joint design and large high-profile buildings and bridges have been constructed.<ref name="Trujillo" /> In Brazil, bamboo have been studied for more than 40 years at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro PUC-Rio for structural applications. Some important results are the tensegrity bamboo structures, the bamboo bicycles, the bamboo space structure with rigid steel joints, the deployable bamboo structure pavilions with flexible joints <ref name=Seixas1|2016>{{cite journal |title=Prefabricated Bamboo Structure and Textile Canvas Pavilions |last1=Seixas |first1=M. |last2=Ripper |first2=JLM. |last3=Ghavami |first3=K. |journal=Journal of the International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures |date=2016 |volume=57 |issue= 3|pages=179–188 |doi=10.20898/j.iass.2016.189.782}}</ref><ref name=Seixas2|2021>{{cite journal |title=Analysis of a self-supporting bamboo structure with flexible joints |last1=Seixas |first1=M. |last2=Moreira |first2=LE. |last3=Stoffel |first3=P. |last4=Bina |first4=J. |last5=Ripper |first5=JLM. |last6=Ferreira |first6=JL. |last7=Ghavami |first7=K. |journal=International Journal of Space Structures |date=2021 |volume=36 |issue=2 |pages=137–151 |doi=10.1177/09560599211001660|s2cid=233669710 }}</ref> and the bamboo active bending-pantographic amphitheater structure <ref name=Seixas3|2017>{{cite journal |title=Active Bending and Tensile Pantographic Bamboo Hybrid Amphitheater Structure |last1=Seixas |first1=M. |last2=Bina |first2=J. |last3=Stoffel |first3=P. |last4=Ripper |first4=JLM. |last5=Moreira |first5=LE. |last6=Ghavami |first6=K. |journal=Journal of the International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures |date=2017 |volume=58 |issue= 3|pages=239–252 |doi=10.20898/j.iass.2017.193.872}}</ref><ref name=Seixas4|2021>{{cite journal |title=Form Finding and Analysis of an Active Bending-Pantographic Bamboo Space Structure |last1=Seixas |first1=M. |last2=Moreira |first2=LE. |last3=Stoffel |first3=P. |last4=Bina |first4=J. |journal=Journal of the International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures |date=2021 |volume=62 |issue= 3|pages=206–222 |doi=10.20898/j.iass.2021.005 |s2cid=234920038}}</ref> developed by Bambutec Design company.

===Structural design codes=== The first structural design codes for bamboo in-the-round were published by ISO in 2004 (ISO 22156 Bamboo - structural design, ISO 22157-1 Bamboo – Determination of Physical and Mechanical properties part 1 and ISO 22157-2 Bamboo – Determination of Physical and Mechanical properties part 2: Laboratory manual. Colombia was the first country to publish a country-specific code in the structural use of bamboo (NSR-10 G12). Since then, Ecuador, Peru, India and Bangladesh have all published codes,<ref name="Gatóo">{{cite journal |title=Sustainable structures: Bamboo standards and building codes |last1=Gatóo |first1=A. |last2=Sharma |first2=B. |last3=Bock |first3=M. |last4=Mulligan |first4=H. |last5=Ramage |first5=M. |s2cid=55205294 |journal=Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Engineering Sustainability |volume=167 |issue=ES5 |date=2014 |pages=189–19 |doi=10.1680/ensu.14.00009}}</ref> however the Colombian code is still widely considered to be the most reliable and comprehensive.

===Curved structural shapes=== Heat and pressure is sometimes traditionally used to form curved shapes in bamboo.<ref name="Hidalgo">{{cite web |title=Bamboo Architecture and Construction with Oscar Hidalgo |url=http://www.networkearth.org/naturalbuilding/bamboo.html |author=Cassandra adams |publisher=Natural Building Colloquium |access-date=11 August 2009}}</ref>

===Durability=== Bamboo is more susceptible to decay than timber, due to a lack of natural toxins <ref name="Kaminski4">{{citation |title=INBAR Technical Report 20: Designing and Building with Bamboo |last1=Janssen|first1=J.|publisher=INBAR: Beijing, China |date=2000}}.</ref> and its typically thin walls, which means that a small amount of decay can mean a significant percentage change in capacity. There are three causes of decay: beetle attack, termite attack and fungal attack (rot).<ref name="Kaminski3">{{cite journal |title=Structural use of bamboo. Part 2: Durability and preservation|last1=Kaminski|first1=S.|last2=Lawrence|first2=A.|last3=Trujillo |first3=D.|last4=King|first4=C. |journal=The Structural Engineer |volume=94 |issue=10 |date=2016 |pages=38–43 |doi=10.56330/TRBW8039 }}</ref><ref name="Liese">{{citation |title=INBAR Technical Report 22: Bamboo Preservation Compendium |last1=Liese|first1=W.|last2=Kumar|first2=S. |publisher=INBAR: Beijing, China|date=2003}}.</ref> Untreated bamboo can last 2–6 years internally, and less than a year if exposed to water.<ref name="Kaminski3" /><ref name="Kaminski4"/>

In order to protect bamboo from decay, two design principles are required:<ref name="Kaminski3" />

# '''The bamboo must be kept dry throughout its life to protect it against rot (fungi).''' This fundamental architectural principle is called "durability by design", and involves keeping the bamboo dry through good design practices such as elevating the structure above the ground, using damp proof membranes, having good drip details, having good roof overhangs, using waterproof coatings for the walls, etc. # '''The bamboo must be treated to protect it against insects (namely beetles and termites).''' The most common and appropriate chemical to treat bamboo is boron, normally either a mixture of borax and boric acid, but it also comes in one compound (di-sodium tetraborate decahydrate).

Both principles must be applied to a design in order to protect bamboo. Boron by itself is inadequate to protect against rot, and it will wash out if exposed to water.<ref name="Kaminski3" />

Modern fixed preservatives may be used as alternatives to boron such as copper azole, however little bamboo has been reliably tested using these methods to date. In addition, they tend to be more hazardous for the treatment workers and the end user, and therefore are less appropriate for developing countries, which is where bamboo is currently mostly used.<ref name="Kaminski3" />

Natural forms of bamboo treatment such as soaking in water and exposing to smoke may provide some limited protection against beetles, however, there is little evidence to show they are effective against termites and rot, and are therefore not typically used in modern construction.<ref name=Arup>{{citation |title=Rohingya Refugee Camps and Sites, Cox's Bazar Region, Bangladesh: Technical Guidance Note 03: Durability and Treatment of Bamboo in Cox's Bazar |last1=Arup|last2=Shelter/NFI Sector|date=2018}}.</ref>

===Modern use of laminated bamboo for construction=== Bamboo can be cut and laminated into sheets and planks. This process involves cutting stalks into thin strips, planing them flat, and drying the strips; they are then glued, pressed and finished. Long used in China and Japan, entrepreneurs started developing and selling laminated bamboo flooring in the West during the mid-1990s; products made from bamboo laminate, including flooring, cabinetry, furniture and even decorations, are currently surging in popularity, transitioning from the boutique market to mainstream providers such as Home Depot. The bamboo goods industry (which also includes small goods, fabric, etc.) is expected to be worth $25 billion by 2012.<ref name="GreenBiz">{{cite web |title=Growing the Future of Bamboo Products |url=http://www.greenbiz.com/feature/2009/07/09/growing-future-bamboo-products |author=Jonathan Bardelline |date=9 July 2009 |publisher=GreenBiz.com |access-date=11 August 2009}}</ref> The quality of bamboo laminate varies among manufacturers and varies according to the maturity of the plant from which it was harvested (six years being considered the optimum).

==Common myths and misconceptions in the use of bamboo for construction== {{Tone|section|date=June 2021}} There are a number of common myths and misconceptions surrounding the use of bamboo for construction.

===Myth 1: "''Bamboo is stronger than steel.''"=== This misunderstanding may have occurred due to the following reasons:<ref name="Kaminski2" />

# Since bamboo has strength-to-weight ratio similar to mild steel, some people conflate this with actual strength. # A few laboratory tests have shown some parts of some species of some culms to have ultimate strengths in tension approaching mild steel (250N/mm2).

If some fibres of some species show relatively high strengths, following international practice, the design strength that can be safely used is closer to 5–10% of this value, to account for the variability of the strengths.

===Myth 2: "''Bamboo only needs to be treated to protect it from decay.''"=== As described above, bamboo needs to be kept dry in order to protect it from rot, and many existing bamboo structures are showing signs of rot because they did not follow the principles of durability by design.<ref name=Kaminski5>{{cite journal |title=Engineered Bamboo Houses for Low-Income Communities in Latin America |last1=Kaminski|first1=S.|journal=The Structural Engineer |volume=91 |issue=10 |date=2013 |pages=14–23 |doi=10.56330/LXJD4295 }}</ref>

===Myth 3: "''Bamboo performs well in earthquakes because it <nowiki>'sways'</nowiki> and <nowiki>'absorbs energy'</nowiki>.''"=== Bamboo is a brittle material and therefore by itself is unable to absorb energy in earthquakes. There is also no advantage of its low stiffness in terms of the performance of bamboo buildings in earthquakes. Instead, bamboo structures are primarily good in earthquakes because:

<ref name=Drunen>{{citation |title=Post-earthquake report on bamboo structures and recommendations for reconstruction with bamboo on the Ecuadorian coast|last1=Drunen|first1=N|last2=Cangas|first2=A.|last3=Rojas|first3=S. |last4=Kaminski|first4=S.|publisher=INBAR: Quito, Ecuador |date=2016}}.</ref>

# They tend to be light. # Joints in bamboo buildings are able to absorb some energy.

===Myth 4: "''Bolted connections cannot be used in bamboo structures.''"=== Plain bolted connections can show brittle behavior due to longitudinal splitting of bamboo culms. Providing confinement to bamboo culms at the connection zones increases resistance to this failure mode and brings significant improvement to strength and ductility.

More importantly, bolted connections display predictable yielding.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Paraskeva |first1=Themelina |last2=Pradhan |first2=Nischal P.N. |last3=Stoura |first3=Charikleia D. |last4=Dimitrakopoulos |first4=Elias G. |title=Monotonic loading testing and characterization of new multi-full-culm bamboo to steel connections |journal=Construction and Building Materials |date=March 2019 |volume=201 |pages=473–483 |doi=10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.12.198|s2cid=139383345 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Wang |first1=Feiliang |last2=Yang |first2=Jian |title=Experimental and numerical investigations on load-carrying capacity of dowel-type bolted bamboo joints |journal=Engineering Structures |date=November 2019 |volume=209 |article-number=109952 |doi=10.1016/j.engstruct.2019.109952|s2cid=213488278 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Pradhan |first1=Nischal P.N. |last2=Paraskeva |first2=Themelina S. |last3=Dimitrakopoulos |first3=Elias G. |title=Quasi-static reversed cyclic testing of multi-culm bamboo members with steel connectors |journal=Journal of Building Engineering |date=January 2020 |volume=27 |article-number=100983 |doi=10.1016/j.jobe.2019.100983|doi-access= }}</ref> This is vital for performing a rational engineered design.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Pradhan |first1=Nischal P. N. |last2=Dimitrakopoulos |first2=Elias G. |title=Pilot Study on Capacity-Based Design of Multiculm Bamboo Axial Members with Dowel-Type Connections |journal=Journal of Structural Engineering |date=1 May 2021 |volume=147 |issue=5 |page=04021040 |doi=10.1061/(ASCE)ST.1943-541X.0002995 |doi-access=free}}</ref> The bolts are also widely available, easy-to-use and versatile.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Trujillo |first1=David J.A. |last2=Malkowska |first2=Dominika |title=Empirically derived connection design properties for Guadua bamboo |journal=Construction and Building Materials |date=February 2018 |volume=163 |pages=9–20 |doi=10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.12.065|url=https://pure.coventry.ac.uk/ws/files/13810695/Trujillo_and_Malkowska_2018_final_version_2_.pdf }}</ref>

===Myth 5: "''Bamboo can be used as a replacement for steel in reinforcement.''"=== This misconception stems from the original idea that bamboo is stronger than steel, and hence could simply replace steel in reinforced concrete.

In reality, bamboo does not function well as a replacement for steel in concrete for the following reasons:<ref name=Hector>{{cite journal |title=Bamboo reinforced concrete: a critical review |last1=Archila|first1=H.|last2=Kaminski|first2=S.|last3=Trujillo|first3=D.|last4=Zea Escamilla|first4=E.|last5=Harries|first5=K. |journal=Materials and Structures |date=2018 |volume=51|issue=4|article-number=102 |doi=10.1617/s11527-018-1228-6|bibcode=2018MatS...51..102A |doi-access=free}}</ref>

* Bamboo has ≈1/30th of the capacity of high yield steel which is most commonly now used in construction, so one would need 30× extra material. There is no space for this in reinforced concrete. * To ensure a proper connection between the bamboo and the concrete, one needs to use expensive chemicals to form the bond, which are bad for the environment. * Concrete is unable to protect the bamboo from fungal and termite attack. * Bamboo is a brittle material and cannot absorb energy in an earthquake, unlike steel. * Concrete reinforced with bamboo has a higher environmental impact than concrete reinforced with steel.

==Case studies==

Bamboo was used for the structural members of the India pavilion at Expo 2010 in Shanghai. The pavilion is the world's largest bamboo dome, about {{convert|34|m|ft|abbr=on}} in diameter, with bamboo beams/members overlaid with a ferro-concrete slab, waterproofing, copper plate, solar PV panels, a small windmill, and live plants. A total of {{convert|30|km|mi|abbr=on}} of bamboo was used. The dome is supported on 18-m-long steel piles and a series of steel ring beams. The bamboo was treated with borax and boric acid as a fire retardant and insecticide and bent in the required shape. The bamboo sections were joined with reinforcement bars and concrete mortar to achieve the necessary lengths.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nbmcw.com/reports/project-site-report/17869-india-pavilion-at-world-expo-2010.html |title=India Pavilion at World Expo 2010 |first=Dr. K M |last=Soni |work=NBM Media |year=2011 |access-date=7 July 2011}}</ref>

Bamboo has been used successfully for housing in Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Colombia, Mexico, Nepal and the Philippines.<ref name="Kaminski1" /><ref name=Kaminski5>{{cite journal |title=Engineered Bamboo Houses for Low-Income Communities in Latin America |last1=Kaminski|first1=S.|journal=The Structural Engineer |volume=91 |issue=10 |date=2013 |pages=14–23 |doi=10.56330/LXJD4295 }}</ref><ref name=Kaminski6>{{cite journal |title=A low-cost vernacular improved housing design|last1=Kaminski|first1=S.|last2=Lawrence|first2=A.|last3=Trujillo|first3=D. |journal=Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Civil Engineering |volume=169 |issue=5 |date=2016 |pages=25–31 |doi=10.1680/jcien.15.00041}}</ref> An appropriate way of using bamboo for housing is considered to be "bahareque encemendato", or "improved bahareque"/"engineered bahareque".<ref name=Kaminski7>{{citation |title=INBAR Technical Report No. 38: Design Guide for Engineered Bahareque Housing|last1=Kaminski|first1=S.|last2=Lawrence|first2=A.|last3=Trujillo|first3=D. |publisher=INBAR: Beijing, China |date=2016}}.</ref> This method takes the Latin America vernacular construction system bahareque (a derivative of wattle and daub) and engineers it, making it considerably more durable and resistant to earthquakes and typhoons.

Panyaden International School in northern Thailand expanded its campus with a bamboo sports hall designed by Chiangmai Life Architects. Inspired by the lotus flower, the hall spans 782 square meters and includes courts for various sports and a liftable stage. The innovative design uses prefabricated bamboo trusses spanning over 17 meters, ensuring the structure can withstand high-speed winds and earthquakes. The hall's natural ventilation and insulation provide year-round comfort, while its use of bamboo maintains a zero-carbon footprint.<ref>{{Cite web |title= Dezeen - Bamboo Sports Hall Panyaden International School |url= https://www.dezeen.com/2017/08/21/chiangmai-life-architects-construction-sports-hall-panyaden-international-school-thailand-arching-bamboo-trusses |access-date=2024-09-10 |website= dezeen.com |date= 20 August 2017 }}</ref>

Bamboo is one of the primary materials for the flood resistant homes in Pakistan designed by Yasmeen Lari. The technique is derived from the vernacular tradition of Sindh. It uses bamboo and mud brick.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.archdaily.com/1010265/yasmeen-lari-sets-out-to-build-one-million-flood-resistant-homes-in-pakistan-by-2024 |first= Maria-Christina |last=Florian |title=Yasmeen Lari Sets Out to Build One Million Flood-Resistant Homes in Pakistan by 2024 |date=November 27, 2023}}</ref>

==Cultivation== [[File:BambooKyoto.jpg|thumbnail|right|Bamboo forest in Kyoto, Japan]]

===Harvesting=== {{unreferenced section|date=June 2014}} Bamboo used for construction purposes must be harvested when the culms reach their greatest strength and when sugar levels in the sap are at their lowest, as high sugar content increases the ease and rate of pest infestation.

Harvesting of bamboo is typically undertaken according to the following cycles:

;Life cycle of the culm :As each individual culm goes through a 5–7 year life cycle, culms are ideally allowed to reach this level of maturity prior to full capacity harvesting. The clearing out or thinning of culms, particularly older decaying culms, helps to ensure adequate light and resources for new growth. Well-maintained clumps may have a productivity 3–4× that of an unharvested wild clump. Consistent with the life cycle described above, bamboo is harvested from two to three years through to five to seven years, depending on the species. ;Annual cycle :As all growth of new bamboo occurs during the wet season, disturbing the clump during this phase will potentially damage the upcoming crop. Also during this high rainfall period, sap levels are at their highest, and then diminish towards the dry season. Picking immediately prior to the wet/growth season may also damage new shoots. Hence, harvesting is best a few months prior to the start of the wet season. ;Daily cycle :During the height of the day, photosynthesis is at its peak, producing the highest levels of sugar in sap, making this the least ideal time of day to harvest. Many traditional practitioners believe the best time to harvest is at dawn or dusk on a waning moon.

==Additional images== <gallery heights=160 widths=160> File:Usage of Bamboo.JPG|Bamboo has long been used as an assembly material in Hong Kong because of its versatility File:Ecuador Mindo Bamboo house.jpg|A bamboo and palm thatch house in Ecuador File:Chakma woman weaving on balcony of bamboo house Chittagong Hill Tracts.jpg|Chakma woman weaving on balcony of bamboo house, Chittagong Hill Tracts File:Konstruksi bambu.jpg|A bamboo house in Indonesia File:Nipa Hut taken at Magdalena Laguna Philippines on 2011 April photo 21.jpg| A nipa hut or ''bahay kubo'' is a type of stilt house in the Philippines </gallery>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category-inline|Bamboo houses}} * [https://www.ted.com/talks/elora_hardy_magical_houses_made_of_bamboo Elora Hardy: Magical houses, made of bamboo] at TED * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oqyyky1vUJ8 Arup: Full-scale shake-table test of earthquake-proof housing for El Salvador] * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZwwMALrFgQ Bambutec Design: Deployable Bamboo Structure Pavilion]

Category:Bamboo buildings and structures Category:Building materials