Skip to main content

Parametric Approach to Simplified Life Cycle Assessment of Bamboo Frame Buildings

Authors

Eleni Eleftheriou, ETH Zurich
Edwin Zea Escamilla, ETH Zurich
Guillaume Habert, ETH Zurich
Luis Felipe López, Base Bahay Foundation Inc.

Abstract

The provision of sustainable housing solutions is one of the main challenges in emerging economy countries. Furthermore, it is clear that a sustainable solution should be based on renewable bio-based materials. The scientific and practical evidence clearly suggests that the use of bamboo in the provision of housing solutions not only brings environmental but also socio-economic benefits to the communities using these strategies. One barrier to the promotion of this type of solution is the lack of knowledge of its structural design and environmental performance. Moreover, the access to assessment tools and methodologies to carry out such assessments is limited. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is widely recognized as the most appropriate method to calculate environmental impacts through a product’s life cycle. LCA is methodologically described on the ISO series 14040 and proposes an input-output relationship between the environment and human activity. LCA has been used in research with many case studies focusing on the built environment and especially on buildings. Nevertheless, the practical application of LCA is very limited, especially in the affordable housing sector. Two main reasons had been identified, first, the development of LCAs is data and time intensive and second, the cost of software or third-party assessment makes the implementation of LCA on affordable housing projects unviable. The use of simplified LCA has shown great potential to solve these challenges but the generation of life cycle inventory data remains the main issue hindering its implementation of user-friendly tools. In this paper, we describe the development of a methodological approach to using parametric design to generate the data required to carry out a simplified life cycle assessment of bamboo-based buildings. Moreover, we present a case study assessing a housing unit using cement-bamboo frame technology developed by the NGO Base-Bahay in the Philippines. From these experiences, it can be concluded that parametric design is a valid approach to overcoming the main identified challenges. In addition, this approach requires further development to cover additional design features like wind, earthquake, and soil quality demands. With this work, we show that the complexity of LCA can be reduced. Finally, the use of parametric approaches enables the development of cost-effective solutions that can increase access to this kind of assessment in the affordable housing sector.

Read Full-Text PDFDownload

Figures

Knowledge Gaps and Research Needs in Bamboo Construction

Authors

Kent Harries, University of Pittsburgh
Amir Mofidi
John Naylor, Newcastle University
David J A Trujillo, Coventry University
Luis Felipe López, Base Bahay Foundation Inc.
Mateo Gutierrez
Bhavna Sharma, University of Southern California
Chase Rogers, University of Pittsburgh

Abstract

In November 2021, a symposium was held to identify knowledge gaps, research needs, and priorities in the bamboo community. Participants were asked to complete a post-symposium survey on research gaps, needs, and priorities. Both rank-order and open-ended questions were asked covering the broad areas of i) determination of material properties, testing, and grading; ii) bamboo connection techniques and technology; iii) bamboo durability and fire performance; and, iv) construction using engineered bamboo. This paper reports the survey and its results. The subsequent discussion identifies priorities for future research that can be leveraged to move the use of bamboo in construction forward. INTRODUCTION In November 2021, a symposium-Bamboo in the Urban Environment IV-was held to identify knowledge gaps, and research needs and priorities as perceived by the bamboo community. The symposium attracted 240 unique participants (Table 1) who were asked to complete a post-symposium survey on research gaps, needs, and priorities. 42 responses (18%) were received representing a range of stakeholders from at least 12 countries. Both rank-order and open-ended questions were asked covering the broad areas of i) determination of material properties, testing, and grading; ii) bamboo connection techniques and technology; iii) bamboo durability and fire performance; and, iv) construction using engineered bamboo. This paper reports the survey and its results. The co-authors include the Symposium organizers and facilitators of each session (Table 1). The objective of the symposium and survey was to identify priorities for future research that can best be leveraged to move the use of bamboo in construction into the mainstream.

Read Full-Text PDFDownload

Durability of Whole Culm Bamboo: Facts, Misconceptions and the New ISO 22156 Framework

Authors

Sebastian Kaminski, Arup
Kent Harries, University of Pittsburgh
Luis Felipe López, Base Bahay Foundation Inc.
David J A Trujillo, Coventry University
Hector F Archila, University of the West of England, Bristol

Abstract

The durability of bamboo is one of the most important aspects to consider when designing and building with this nature-based material. Durable structures with bamboo are resilient, cost-effective, and have a lower whole life-cycle environmental impact. This paper firstly reviews the main causes of the decay of bamboo: beetle, termite, and fungal, and then discusses the efficacy of different treatments-both traditional and modern. Common misconceptions around the durability of bamboo and its preservation methods are corrected. Finally, the recently published framework for the durability of bamboo within ISO 22156 – Bamboo Structures, based on Use Classes, is presented.

220523NOCMATPaper4.0submissionDownload

Calibrating Two Wood Moisture Meters for Two Species of Bamboo

Authors

Carlo Cacanando, Base Bahay Foundation Inc.
Luis Felipe López, Base Bahay Foundation Inc.
David J A Trujillo, Coventry University

Abstract

The moisture content of bamboo is critical to its treatment and use. However, determining the moisture through oven drying is impractical for most applications. Moisture meters however are able to estimate the moisture content almost instantaneously. In this study, two moisture meters, Benetech GM610 and Brookhuis FMC were calibrated for two bamboo species: Bambusa Vulgaris and Bambusa Blumeana. The tests were done on dry Bambusa Blumeana and Vulgaris, and green Bambusa Blumeana. It was found that dry bamboo could be accurately measured using these devices, while for green bamboo the results were inconclusive.

Read Full-Text PDFDownload

Figures

Adoption of Grading Practices According to ISO 166242018 for Bambusa Blumeana in the Philippines a Case Study

Authors

Ray Villanueva, Kawayan Collective Bamboo Treatment Facility
Luis Felipe López, Base Bahay Foundation Inc.
David J A Trujillo, Coventry University
Marlon Tanilon, Foundation University, Dumaguete City, Philippines
Clint Absin, Foundation University
Kate Tubog, Foundation University, Dumaguete City
Oman Krish Tubat, Foundation University, Philippines, Dumaguete

Abstract

ISO 19624:2018 is the world’s first international bamboo grading standard. It contains few prescriptive clauses and is mostly written as a recipe for a national grading standard. This paper reports the initial phases of the implementation of this standard in the context of a production plant (Kawayan Collective) exploiting Bambusa blumeana harvested in The Philippines. The team undertook the initial evaluation (i.e. characterization) of B. blumeana harvested from six sites. 123 culms were geometrically and mechanically characterised, as required by ISO 19624. Current visual grading rules used at Kawayan Collective have been recorded as well as their associated rejection rates and resulting associated cost of this rejection. Early findings from the initial evaluation are discussed.

Read Full-Text PDFDownload

Figures

Establishing the Characteristic Shear Strength of a Local Bamboo Species: Bambusa Blumeana (Kawayan Tinik)

Authors

Brian Bautista, De La Salle University
Lessandro Estelito O. Garciano, De La Salle University
Luis Felipe López Base Bahay Foundation Inc.

Abstract

The mechanical properties of a structural material such as flexure, shear, and compressive strengths are needed in the structural design process. Unfortunately, published studies of the shear strength of an important local species: Bambusa blumeana (Kawayan Tinik) are limited. The authors focused on this property since joint connections are possible points of failure when a bamboo structure is subjected to extreme loads. The latest ISO 22157-1 test protocol and ISO 12122-1 were used to establish the shear strengths of twelve bamboo samples from Laguna. The results show that the average shear and characteristic shear strengths of Kawayan Tinik are 12.2 MPa and 9.56 MPa, respectively. Since testing facilities are limited at the site, the authors also proposed a linear model to estimate the shear strength of bamboo using the physical properties derived from the tests.

Read Full-Text PDFDownload

Figures