Bamboo is a fascinating material due to its
incredible strength, regenerative properties, and its natural aesthetic beauty. In
structural engineering tests, bamboo has a higher tensile strength than many alloys of
steel, and a higher compressive strength than many mixtures of concrete. It even has a
higher strength to weight ratio than graphite.
Bamboo has been used as the standard
building material for the majority of the world for thousands of years. There are many
examples of buildings constructed entirely of bamboo, which are now several hundred
years old. Due to their strength, these structures have withstood 9.0 magnitude
earthquakes.
Fast Regeneration
Typically trees
such as the ones used in conventional wood fencing take 30-50 years to regenerate to their full mass.
In the meantime, there is less oxygen produced, less carbon dioxide consumed, and more soil runoff in
the spot where that tree was harvested - all producing negative environmental effects
On the other hand, bamboo is the fastest growing
plant on Earth. Some species have actually been measured to grow over 4 feet in 24 hours. A pole
of bamboo can regenerate to its full mass in just six months! Bamboo can be continuously
re-harvested every 3 years, without causing damage to the plant system and surrounding
environment. During the time it takes to regenerate, the bamboo plant's root system stays intact
so erosion is prevented. Continuous harvesting of this woody grass every 3-7 years, actually
improves the overall health of the plant. It is believed that if bamboo were planted on a mass
basis it could completely reverse the effects of global warming in just 6 years, and provide a
renewable source of food, building material, and erosion prevention.
