Research Groups

University of Cambridge

Principal Investigator: Michael H. Ramage

Post Doctoral Research Associates: Bhavna Sharma, Maximilian Bock

Research Assistant: Ana Gatóo

Sponsor: EPSRC

In collaboration with: Helen Mulligan (P.I., Cambridge Architectural Research, Ltd.)

The Structural Bamboo Products (SBP) project aims to characterise engineered bamboo for construction. In parallel with the research at MIT and the University of British Columbia, the University of Cambridge will conduct mechanical tests on members and develop jointing systems for structures. The project team will also review existing relevant building codes and suggest amendments for engineered bamboo based on the results of the project. In addition to structural testing and code development, the project will explore the thermal performance of members, assemblies and entire building systems. Life cycle analysis will explore the embodied energy of products and overall building energy use in comparison to conventional buildings. The research aims to determine if structural bamboo products are a potential alternative to traditional materials in terms of structural and environmental performance.

MIT

Principal Investigator: Lorna J. Gibson

Graduate Student: Patrick G. Dixon

Sponsor: NSF

The Structural Bamboo Products (SBP) focus of the work at MIT is the characterization of bamboo and bamboo products at small scales (micro and meso), with a focus on microstructural characterization and mechanical properties of natural and processed bamboo. Models linking the microstructure and properties will be created. It is hoped these models will aid in the optimization of bamboo’s use in structural products and members.  This work allows the entire collaborative project to study SBP at all relevant levels, from tissue to large structural members.

University of British Columbia

Principal Investigator: Gregory Smith

Research Scientist: Katherine Semple

Graduate Students: Felix Böck, Kunqian (Polo) Zhang

Sponsor: NSERC

The Structural Bamboo Products (SBP) project at UBC involves the production of bamboo elements (strands, strips, fibre–bundles etc) for the fabrication of structural bamboo products (strand boards, composite lumber members). To date we have completed for Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens Mazel) the optimization of strand production via disk strander, and fabrication and testing of sets of both pure bamboo and bamboo-aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) oriented strand boards (OSB). Accompanying work on the controlled densification and bond strength using Soya bean Protein Isolates (SPI) glues is also taking place through informal collaboration with OSU in Oregon and the University of Primorska in Slovenia. Ongoing work through 2014-2015 includes the stranding optimization and OSB fabrication for Guadua bamboo from Columbia, and the production of roller-crushed long fibre-bundle elements from bamboo poles for fabrication of long-span composite lumber members. The UBC SBP team includes Prof. Gregory Smith, Dr Kate Semple, and two new graduate MSc students, Ms Polo Zhang from China and Mr Felix Boeck from Germany.