Development of Laminated Bamboo Lumber: Review of Processing, Performance, and Economical Considerations

As focus is drawn toward more sustainable construction practices, use of bamboo as a structural building material is growing as a topic of interest. It is highly renewable, has low-embodied energy, and has the highest strength-to-weight ratio of steel, concrete, and timber. Composite lumber made from bamboo, termed laminated bamboo lumber (LBL), has gained the particular interest of researchers and practitioners of late, since it has bamboo’s mechanical properties but can be manufactured in well-defined dimensions, similar to commercially available wood products. Its primary drawbacks are that it is difficult to connect and is more costly than competing, locally available materials. This paper presents the advantages and challenges of embracing LBL as an alternative building material. Experimental and analytical data on production, performance, economics, and environmental impact of bamboo and LBL are reviewed, synthesized, and further analyzed to present an overview of the viability of using bamboo as a structural material in North America.