Research development of glued laminated bamboo (glubam) and cross-laminated bamboo and timber (CLBT)

Abstract

In this paper, the author reports the extensive research studies by the author’s team on the development of glued laminated bamboo, or glubam, a bamboo-based glulam. Research findings indicate that the glubam has similar mechanical properties as timber and can be used as substitute to timber-based glulam. Several demonstration projects were also executed exhibiting the suitable constructability of glubam structures. Inspired by the recent advancement of cross-laminated timber or CLT in Europe, the author’s team recently is developing cross-laminated bamboo and timber, or CLBT (or CLTB). Pilot tests for manufacturability and mechanical performance of CLBT panels were carried out and the results demonstrate the good behavior of the CLBT as building slabs and panels. CLBT is promising for integrating the use of bamboo and fast-grown trees, both are quite abundant in China and elsewhere.