Fire-safe bamboo structures – a methodology to facilitate performance-based design

Abstract

Traditionally, bamboo has only been used for structural purposes in lowrise buildings, and one of the main reasons is that the fire performance of load-bearing bamboo structures is not well understood. Before this material can be used in applications where fire safety considerations are critical, for instance in mid-rise buildings or other complex structures, its fire performance must be characterised comprehensively. This requires an understanding of the fire-induced failure mechanisms and mechanical performance at elevated temperatures of bamboo structural elements, as well as their thermal performance and burning behaviour. The work described herein summarises the knowledge gaps and engineering challenges that must be overcome to facilitate the performance-based design of bamboo structures. A continuing holistic study aimed at addressing these issues is introduced. Key thermal and mechanical properties and burning behaviours of both laminated and round bamboo are summarised.