ABSTRACT
High tensile strength characterizes natural fibre composites based on bamboo fibre, fibre strength of craft products made from bamboo, layered laminate bamboo composites and bamboo-reinforced, self-compacting concrete beams. According to M. A. Ogunbiyi et al., although the tensile strength of steel is 2.5–3.0 times higher than that of bamboo, the specific gravity of steel is 6–8 times that of bamboo. Reforestation using fast-growing, rapidly regenerating, economically and pragmatically useful tree species may sustainably maintain tropical forest industries. As a tropical invasive species, Bambusa vulgaris can be continuously re-harvested every three years, without causing damage to the plant system and surrounding environment. Applying a cold-water starch dissolution treatment to harvested bamboo logs as tuber-vine support sticks in a self-sustaining anaerobic bioreactor, Mark Anglin Harris and C. K. Koomson substantially increased the outdoor longevity from one year to three years.
