Brock researcher explores giant bamboo’s potential for sustainable construction

by arslan_ahmed | March 18, 2024 10:00 am

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Giant bamboo may get adopted as a sustainable construction material in the future, with the pioneering work on the material by a Brock University researcher, and associate professor of engineering, Amir Mofidi.

Seeking alternatives to carbon-intensive materials like steel and concrete, Mofidi envisions bamboo as an economically viable and environmentally friendly solution. With funding from a Government of Canada Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council’s (NSERC’s) Discovery Grant, he is exploring the potential of giant bamboo by researching advanced techniques to fabricate new forms of engineered bamboo. Giant bamboo’s rapid growth—with some species growing by one metre (3.38 ft) per day, coupled with its strength and durability—makes it an attractive prospect.

The initiative acknowledges the construction industry’s need for innovative, renewable resources and aligns with sustainability goals by providing an alternative to slow-growing timber. While bamboo has a rich history in traditional Asian architecture, Mofidi’s work focuses on modern applications, transforming giant bamboo into a construction material of the future. The research not only explores the material’s potential, but also emphasizes environmental responsibility by selecting non-invasive varieties and cultivating partnerships with local farmers.

Mofidi, who is internationally recognized for rehabilitating existing concrete structures, aims to engineer bamboo into cutting-edge composite materials, while addressing the limitations of its hollow cross sections. His research involves growing non-invasive bamboo species in laboratories capable of withstanding extreme temperatures, paving the way for locally sourced construction materials. By partnering with the Niagara farming community, Mofidi envisions developing economically justifiable bamboo crops.

Source URL: https://www.constructioncanada.net/brock-researcher-explores-bamboo-potential-for-sustainable-construction/

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