Bamboo Fibre-Reinforced Composites for Tall Buildings

Abstract

This research project explores the use of bamboo fibre-reinforced composites in the construction of tall buildings. The goal
of this research is to determine if this material has the potential to be used as a primary structural material for tall building
construction. In addition, this material shows great promise to be more environmentally sustainable with faster construction
times and lower construction costs. This project begins by investigating tall buildings and the effect that they have on the
environment. The need for tall buildings arises from the need for increasing urban density necessary to accommodate the
population growth. Currently, half of the world population is living in urban environments and within the next 25 years is
expected to increase to nearly 80%. Increasing density in cities is now widely accepted as necessary for achieving more
sustainable urban environments to reduce energy consumption and thus combat climate change. Other added benefits
that tall buildings provide include reducing vehicle travel times and creating an opportunity for open spaces such as
playgrounds, plazas, parks and other community spaces, of which can improve air quality and visual appeal of a city.
The research investigated the three primary materials used in tall building construction today: steel, wood and concrete.
Buildings represent the largest energy-consuming sector in the economy, consuming over one-third of the world’s energy
and are responsible for approximately one-third of global carbon emissions. Concrete production alone represents more
than 5% of all carbon dioxide emissions. Steel is also a poor choice due to its high-embodied energy and low thermal
performance. Wood is typically the best principal material available for building structures with respect to embodied energy
and carbon emissions. It requires less fossil fuel-based energy to produce and creates far less greenhouse gas emissions
than the manufacture of concrete or steel; however, wood products require the cutting down of vast numbers of trees
leading to deforestation and ultimately lowering earth’s ability to remove the excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
This study replicated a case study completed by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM) in 2013. In the SOM study, specific
reinforced concrete members were replaced with mass timber, resulting in a code compliant and sustainable method
of construction. This study builds on the SOM investigation by replacing the mass timber elements with bamboo fibrereinforced composite (BFRC) material. Available research data for the material was sufficient to estimate member sizes,
material weight, and carbon emissions. The results indicate that BFRC has potential as an alternative to concrete, steel and
wood for the construction of tall buildings. This conclusion is based on the assumption that the proper amalgamation of
polymer matrix and natural fibres will yield BFRC possessing the best properties of each component, yielding a high quality
sustainable building material made from a plant that grows well and is available in most parts of the world.