Structural use of bamboo. Part 3: Design values

Bamboo is a strong, fast growing and sustainable material, having been used structurally for thousands of years in many parts of the world. In modern times, it has the potential to be an aesthetically pleasing and low cost alternative to more conventional materials, such as timber, as demonstrated by some visually impressive recent structures. This five-part technical series, aimed at both developed- and developing-world contexts, will bring together current knowledge and best practice on the structural use of bamboo, covering: • an introduction to bamboo (part 1) • durability and preservation (part 2) • design values (part 3) • element design equations (part 4) • connections (part 5) This third article proposes: strengths and other properties for the scheme design of any bamboo species; a method for calculating characteristic strength values from test data; and a method for calculating design values of strengths for limit state design. It is believed to be the most up-to-date guide available for determining design values for bamboo elements.