Experts in the construction industry have called for further studies on the use of bamboo as a mainstream building material in Nigeria.
The experts made the call in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos.
They were reacting to the rising cost of construction materials and the use of bamboo – a woody plant with hollow stems – by some engineers as a substitute for iron in construction works.
NAN reports that bamboo scaffolding is widely used in various types of construction in Nigeria.
It has been reported that 81 per cent of contractors use bamboo or timber scaffolding with a reusability rate of two to three times
Similarly, Mr Sunny Ejeje, a former Chairman, Nigeria Society of Engineers, Apapa branch, highlighted the positive aspects and advantages of bamboo.
According to him, research can help further in addressing the reasons why bamboo is not widely used in construction industry.
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He said, “Bamboo has the potential to become widely accepted building material if more studies are made for its proper use.
“With the right push, studies and right use of bamboo in construction, it would be safe to say that it is right time for bamboo to gain its rightful place as a mainstream building material.’’
Ejeje noted that bamboo, as a viable, sustainable and cost effective alternative in construction, was lightweight and readily available in many regions, potentially lowering costs.
He said that due to its versatility in product application, bamboo could also increase its economic value, making it a cost effective alternative to traditional building materials.
He added that bamboo was also eco-friendly, with less or no maintenance and aesthetic value.
Additionally, he stressed the need for standardised tests on bamboo.
He said, “There are also standards for structural design which includes tests to determine strengths in compression parallel to the fibers, flexure, shear, and tension parallel to the fibers.
“Finally, it must be environmentally friendly, affordable, flexible in usage, and durable which makes bamboo one because of its characteristics.’’
Mr Olumide Adewebi, a former Vice-President International, Nigerian Institution of Surveyors, called fo bamboo use as a reinforcement material, especially for specific applications in Nigeria.
Adewebi, who also acknowledged bamboo limitations, emphasised its potential for cost-effective and durable construction.
He said, “Yes, bamboo is being looked at as an alternative to steel and iron rods for reinforcement in building construction.
“While there are a lot of commonalities in the properties of bamboo that makes it suitable as an alternative to steel and Iron rods, it still has some limitations.
“It has high water absorption and low bonding strength between bamboo’s surface and concrete.
“In Asia it has been successfully used for construction actually but it requires treatment and a careful selection process.
“For low cost housing that is not high in load bearing this alternative should be explored in Nigeria.
”The low cost of using this is worth the investment in the required research to make it well used.’’
According to him, bamboo-reinforced houses have lasted more than 25 years or even 100 years in some cases, particularly in earthquake-prone areas.
