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Bamboo Living

2007 International
Bamboo Building
Design Competition

In order for bamboo to be used in construction, building code standards must be established for the bamboo. Building code standards are based on data gathered from extensive structural testing of the bamboo. Architects and engineers must have this data for them to design and approve buildings.

Bamboo Technologies and Bamboo Hardwoods have been researching and testing the quality and endurance of the specific bamboos used from Vietnam for over a decade. The testing of our species of bamboo will cost approximately $200,000 to complete. We are currently 25% of the way through the testing process. Funding from charitable donations made to the International Bamboo Foundation is making this possible. This testing work will establish the protocol that will allow many other structural species of bamboo throughout the world to be used by builders and architects.

We look forward to working together with charitable donors in creating the opportunity for bamboo to be used as an accepted alternative to wood in construction around the world thereby saving our precious forests. . Together we will be responsible for initiating what will eventually be a quantum shift in the sustainability of our construction resources. What we are doing will have a very significant benefit for the environment.

We have researched and developed the procedures and testing manuals over the last three years. We have established relationships with the key people around the world to document this procedure including Kurt Stochlia, Vice President of ICBO and an advisor to the International Standards Organization (ISO). Bamboo Technologies has already developed and paid for the Acceptance Criteria necessary for an Evaluation Report.

The testing process involves four stages. The first is the retrieval of test samples and witnessing of quality control procedures in Vietnam. The second is the laboratory testing of materials at Washington State University. The third is the writing and submittal of initial reports to ICBO. The fourth is final analysis and finished draft of the Evaluation Report. The stages are broken down as follows:

I. Phase I began August 1, 2001.
Coordinating and contracting with the four key players:
PFS Testing Corporation - Bob Nelson
Witness for Washington State University (WSU) - Graham McFarland
Research Technician at WSU - Deepak Shresthra
Project Manager (Developed Code Approval for TREX) - Bob Tichy

Cost for sending witness to Vietnam, retrieving test samples, and reviewing quality control procedures currently in use - $25,000

II. Phase II began December 1, 2001.
Lab testing and compilation of data formatted for presentation
to ICBO - Estimated Cost - $37,000

III. Phase III begins March 1, 2002.
Writing and submission of initial report to ICBO - Estimate Cost - $57,000

IV. Phase IV begins April 1, 2002
Submission of final report to ICBO - Estimated Cost- $37,000

The estimated completion of the project is July 1, 2002. This timeline reflects the optimum scenario as a result of generous support in making the finances available.

Bamboo Testing Expenditures to Date:

Sep 1998 University of Washington
Initial gathering of testing data for Dendrocalamus Strictus - $ 4,500
Apr 1999 ICBO
Evaluations Acceptance Criteria Report - $ 6,000
Feb 2001 PFS Corporation
Development of Testing Protocol Estimate - $ 1,200
Feb 2001 Wood Science and Technologies
Development of Testing Protocol Estimate - $ 600
Feb 2001 Robert Tichy, Research Engineer
Development of Testing Protocol Estimate - $ 500
Jun 2001 Kai Hawaii Inc.
Establish Critical Design Criteria to be evaluated by ICBO - $ 7,800
Sep 2001 PFS Corporation
Contract to Begin Compiling Data for Quality Assurance model to be used worldwide - $ 12,500
Oct 2001 APL Shipping Company
Shipment of Testing Poles to Washington State University - $ 4,000
Nov 2002 Washington State University
Purchase of Initial Testing Apparatus - $ 3,000
Dec 2001 Kai Hawaii Engineering
Established Further Design Criteria to be evaluated by ICBO - $ 3,000
Jan 2002 Washington State University - $ 7,000
Feb 2002 Robert Tichy, Research Engineer
Preliminary Compilation of Testing Data - $ 2,000
Total - $ 52,100

Contributers to the bamboo testing fund.
Adam Albright of the ARIA Foundation.
Fred Murrell.
Tides Foundation.
Dr. Fredrick Sands .

We are going to be presenters at an international conference in Hanoi in March 2002. We have been informed by the Vietnamese government that we may be eligible for funding after presentation of the bamboo testing project due to its national and international implications.

Donations:
If you would like to support the testing to make bamboo an internationally accepted construction material, you can make donations directly to the International Bamboo Foundation (IBF), a 501(c)3 registered in Hawaii. Linda Garland is the Chairman of the Board, Melanie Arcudi is the Executive Director and David Sands is an IBF Board member. The funds will be secured for the specific use of this project. Donations can be made in one lump sum, quarterly deposits, or monthly deposits. IBF will post updated reports on this website.

We will continue to contribute our project coordination efforts to expedite the testing. This testing will result in bamboo becoming a structural alternative for architects and engineers worldwide. The presence of a standard will increase the planting and use of bamboo worldwide.

Many, Many, Many Thanks,
Jeffree, David, Jim

Go to International Bamboo Foundation.