Bamboo

POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

BAMBOO Submitted by:

Submitted to:

Faith Joy P. Alvarez

Prof. Christopher Mira

BSIE III-I

Bamboo Bamboo is a group of perennial evergreens in the true grass family Poaceae, subfamily Bambusoideae, tribe Bambuseae . Giant bamboos are the largest members of the grass family. In bamboo, the internodal regions of the stem are hollow and the vascular bundles in the cross section are scattered throughout the stem instead of in a cylindrical arrangement. The dicotyledonous woody xylem is also absent. The absence of secondary growth wood causes the stems of monocots, even of palms and large bamboos, to be columnar rather than tapering

Bamboos are some of the fastest growing plants in the world, due to a unique rhizomedependent system. Bamboos are of notable economic and cultural significance in South Asia, South East Asia and East Asia, being used for building materials, as a food source, and as a versatile raw product. ↑ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bamboo

Etymology 1590s, from Du. Bamboo, from Port. Bamboo, earlier mambu (16c.), probably from Malay samambu, though some suspect this is itself an imported word. ↑ http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=bamboo

History of Bamboo Bamboo is the name given to a group of perennial evergreen plant that is commonly found in Eastern Asia, the Americas, Australasia and sub-Saharan Africa. In Eastern and South Eastern Asia, the plant is of high economic importance, where it is used in gardens, for food and as a crucial material for building. As a woody plant, it is hardy, and can be found growing in a diverse range of climates from the tropical jungle environment of Chile, to the high cold mountain slopes of the himalayas. In fact it is only Canada, Europe, Antarctica and Western Asia where bamboo is not found as a native plant species! It has however been introduced to these areas too, and usually takes to the climates in these places just as easily. One of the main factors behind the usefulness of bamboo over history, and indeed its success as a plant on such a large scale, is the rate at which it grows. As the fastest growing plant on earth, bamboo has been measured at having a growth rate exceeding one metre per hour for 

short periods. Studies have the record for daily growth as 121cm over a 24 -hour period. Although the modern plant is a little shorter, heights of 250 feet were not unusual for prehistoric  bamboo varieties! ↑http://ezinearticles.com/?A-History-of-Bamboo---One-of-the-Most-Versatile-Plants-on-the-

Planet!&id=1935282

Uses of Bamboo The first exposure most people in the western world have to bamboo is probably as part of a Chinese (or other East Asian) meal! The shoots of bamboo are often used in many Asian dishes, and are readily available sliced in fresh and canned form from most supermarkets. The sap of young stalks can also be tapped to make a sweet wine called ulanzi. Continuing the culinary theme , larger bamboo stalks, because of their hollowness, are often used as cooking vessels. The food can be placed in the stalk, and then cooked directly over  the flame. For construction , harvested bamboo can be treated to form a very hard and lightweight material. This can be used as supports in traditional Asian housing, as scaffolding, or even as a replacement for steel reinforced rods in concrete style construction. Steamed and flattened sections of bamboo are also becoming popular as an alternative to more traditional wooden flooring panels. One of the more recent uses for Bamboo is as a fibre for making clothing fabric. In this incarnation, bamboo has been found to have several desirable properties; it is very light and extremely soft, making it very comfortable to wear; it also wicks moisture away from the skin, making it ideal clothing for carrying out exercise in (i.e. yogo, or jogging) or as a material for   baby clothing and accessories. ↑ http://ezinearticles.com/?A-History-of-Bamboo---One-of-the-Most-Versatile-Plants-on-the-

Planet!&id=1935282

Bamboo was once a symbol of the Orient, bamboo now has a reputation as the mediator   between the strength of hardwood and the sustainability of grass. Technically a type of grass,  bamboo grows faster than any other woody plant in the world. In just five years, most species of 

 bamboo reach maturity, and certain types are known to double in size in a single day. Other   popular hard woods barely grow an inch in a week, and several, such as oak, can take up to 120 years to reach maturity. This woody grass currently grows throughout the world, but the origin of bamboo is  believed to be ancient China. Bamboo is finally being utilized in all walks of life. From dishware to clothing, you can find a bamboo alternative in almost every industry. In to day’s

environmentally conscious society, we have finally begun to utilize bamboo across the board. Bamboo was first found and used in China more than 5000 years ago, which is why the woody plant conjures up images of pandas eating shoots and leaves in the Orient. Even though its many uses are only just becoming widely known, the bamboo plant as an alternative material  began long before “going green” became a trend. Believe it or not, the history of bamboo is

historically significant for many Asian countries! The use of bamboo goes back a long time. In fact, bamboo has been considered to be a symbol of good fortune in Asian cultures for over 4,000 years. Its ability to grow quickly and strongly has long deemed it a symbol of success and healthy sustenance. It’s one of the most

 popularly sought after Feng Shui symbols, highly recommended by the masters for creating a space of safe energy. Bamboo’s long lasting life has instilled it as a Chinese symbol of longevit y, and it is

considered to be symbolic of long lasting friendship in India. Its rare blossoming flowers have also been considered a sign of impending famine, probably due to rats feeding on the flowers to multiply and destroy the area’s food supply. * 16th-17th Century BC

During the Shang Dynasty, bows, arrows, and other household items were made using  bamboo. * 140 BC/134 BC and 118 BC

In 1972, ancient Chinese writing tablets made of bamboo strips, called Yinqushan Han Slips, were discovered in burial tombs. Several important writings were discovered, including the lost chapters from the Six Strategies.

* 105 AD

Cai Lun of China made the world’s first plant tissue paper out of bamboo. * 265-316 AD

During the Jin Dynasty, a book is written detailing the difference species and uses of   bamboo. * 1368 AD

The Ming Dynasty, which lasted almost three centuries, used bamboo as the main  bedding for the empire. * 1486 AD

During the Ming Dynasty, bamboo charcoal was created. Emissions are not nearly as bad as traditional charcoal, resulting in purer air for us all! * 1894 AD

A patent (No. 8274) is filed in England for the first bamboo bicycles. They were shown at the London Stanley Show of 1894. * 1947 AD

Known for setting trends around the world, Gucci helped to jump-start the bamboo craze  back in 1947 when they manufactured the first bamboo handbag. * 1997 AD

The International Network for Bamboo and Rattan, an international organization dedicated to improving the social, economic, and environmental benefits of bamboo and rattan, is established by treaty.

* 2010 AD

In Mizoram, India, 10, 736 people set the world record for the largest bamboo dance. ↑ http://www.bambooki.com/blog/the-history-of-bamboo/

Bamboo survey areas and construction use/product lines. SURVEY AREA

PERCENT USAGE OF POPULATION

USE/PRODUCT LINE

Camarines Sur

95% of rural population

house posts, doors, stairs, bridges, windows, cooking area, sink, gates, fences, scaffolding animal pens, out houses, storage areas

48% of interviews

home dwellings

(Lopez, 1997)

Central Visayas (Alino, 1989) 1997 OIDCI survey

packaged "bahay kubo" "sawali sheets bamboo roof (shingles) bamboo spokes bamboo splits panel boards, plyboo, sawali board, plyboard, laminated board

New bamboo manufactured products. PRODUCT

DESCRIPTION

Bamboo parquet block

composite material made of wood vencers and bamboo slots

Bamboo particle board

combination of ipil-ipil wood and bamboo particles glued, and pressed to form a board

Resin-bonded bamboo mat

urea formaldehyde is used to glue bamboo mats

Corrigated bamboo sheet (CBS)

woven, glued and hot pressed bamboo slivers in the fabricated corrugated mold

Bamboo plyboard

pre-painted panel board made basically out of  waste plastics, rice hull ash and bamboo

In Northern Philippines, mussel cultivators and fishpen operators are two major bamboo users for this industry. One hundred thirty-five cultivators have an annu al culm requirement of  13,500 bayog poles and 8 fishpen operators need 25,500 kawayan tinik  (B. alumeana) culms per  year. Bamboos used in the fishing industry are not treated with preservatives. Prolonged immersion in water has a preservative effect on the culms. The other uses of bamboo in the fishing industry include rafts, traps/coral, fishpen, boat outriggers, fish shelters, stakes and fishing rods. Bamboo poles are used as props to support fruit-bearing bananas. The species used as  props are: "kawayan tinik" ( B. alumeana), "bolo" (G. levis), "Laak" ( B.gp. 2), and "Kayali" (G. atter ). Drying and preservation techniques applied on bamboo for construction are also done for   bamboos used as banana props. Bamboo is an important raw material for pulp and paper manufacture. Bamboo was used  by the Bataan Pulp and Paper Mills Inc. (BPPMI) in the late 1960s for the production of quality  printing and writing paper. However, after a number of years of operation the company shifted to logging residues from Mindanao. In 1993, a small paper factory in Calamba, Laguna utilized  bamboo to produce pulp which was processed into incense paper for export to Taiwan. ISSUE/CONCERN

BAMBOO

RECOMMENDED SOLUTIONS

R & D STRATEGIES

Production Lack of concerted planned effort for bamboo plantation development

delineation of areas for bamboo development formulation of  guidelines in reforestation projects

species-site matching maintenance of  Bambuseta

strengthened IEC campaign adequate technology transfer mechanisms

premature harvesting as an offshoot of  increased demand

provision of support services (credit technical assistance markets) provision of incentives physiological propertiesend product matching

R & D on physiological aspects vis a vis market research Marketing limited social acceptance of bamboo

increased IEC

researches on the perception, attitude and extension strategies and other IEC approaches

inadequate support services

establishment of  strategically located buying stations accessible to all actors in the bamboo industry

market research with some linear programming applications

unorganized marketing system

organization of industry associations/societies

comprehensive market research

market linkaging/ networking through GO抯, NGO抯, private/industry sectors

unfavorable market developments e.g. decline in demand for banana propping materials

diversification of uses of  bamboo species

no standards for grading and classification of raw materials

development of grading and classification standards for raw materials

market research species/product matching

R & D on grading and classification standards

Utilization products limited to traditional uses

commercialization of  new bamboo products development of stateof-the-art technologies conduct of seminars, workshops, trainings sponsored by government and/or industry associations

Policy

R & D on product development designs

annual allowable cut (AAC)

conduct of policy studies to determine the AAC based on species, growth, yield, clump development in relation to climatic and edaphic factors

Information Systems inadequate information system information systems analysis establishment of a centralized repository of  bamboo database on production, management, marketing, utilization ↑ http://www.inbar.int/documents/country%20report/Philippine.htm

Properties of Bamboo Physical and Mechanical Properties Specific gravity (SG) is a measure of the density of a substance. The specific gravity of a substance is a comparison of its density to that of water. The specific gravity of bamboo varies  between 0.4 and 0.8 depending mainly on the anatomical structure. The moisture content of   bamboo varies vertically from the bottom to the top portions and horizontally from the outer  layer to the inner layers. Bamboo possesses very high moisture content. Green bamboo may have 100% percent moisture (oven-dry weight basis) and can be as high as 155 percent for the innermost layers to 70 percent for the peripheral layers. The vertical variation from the top (82%) to the bottom (110%) is comparatively less. The fiber saturation point of bamboo is around 20-22  percent. Lee [1994] revealed that Phyllostachys bambusoides has an average MC of 138% and a

green SG of 0.48. Unlike wood, bamboo has no secondary growth; all gains after it reaches its full height are due to the addition of material to cells after the first year. Wettability is the ability of a liquid to form a coherent film on a surface, owing to the dominance of molecular attraction  between the liquid and the surface over the cohesive force of the liquid itself. Wettability of   bamboo has a significant influence on adhesion and other related properties. In terms of adhesion theory, bond formation involves wetting, adsorption, and inter-diffusion of the resin with the respect to the adhered substrate. Adhesive wettability of wood is usually evaluated by contact angle measurement [Shi and Gardner 2001]. Several studies have revealed wettability determined through contact angle measurement is closely associated with gluability of wood and wood based composites. The bamboo culm comprises about 50% parenchyma, 40% fibers and 10% vessels and sieve tubes. The fibers contribute 60-70% of the weight of the total culm tissue. They are long and tapered at their ends. The ratio of length to width varies between 150:1 and 250:1. Fiber length has showed considerable variation within species. Mean values are: Bambusa tulda 3 mm, B. vlgaris 2.3 mm, Dendrocalamus giganteus 3.2 mm, Guadua angustifolia 1.6 mm,  Phyllostachys edulis 1.5 mm. Generally, the fibers are much longer than those from hardwoods

(1-1.5 mm). Fibers in bamboos are grouped in bundles and sheaths around the vessels. The epiderma1 walls consist of an outer and inner layer; the latter of which is highly lignified. Fiber  length and fiber width varies within one internode. Fiber percentage is higher in the outer onethird of the wall and in the upper part of the culm, contributing to its superior slenderness. The  percentage of fibers increases from the bottom to the top of the culm. Mclaughlin and Tait [1980] studied the mechanism of failure in tension of cellulosebased fibers. They predicted that tensile strength and mean Young’s modulus increase with increase cellulose content and

decreasing micro-fibril angle. Bamboo provides an important raw material for the pulp and paper  industry in many places, especially in South East Asia [Hammett 2001]. Fiber morphology has an important influence on the physical properties of pulp. Aging of a bamboo culm influences  physical, chemical, and mechanical properties, and consequently its processing and utilization. The physical and mechanical properties of bamboo vary with the age of the bamboo and the height of the culm. In general, SG and the properties of bamboo drop from the top portion to the  bottom. The increase in weight is cumulative and directly related with age. Strength properties are reported to decrease in older culms. Limaye [1948; 1952] found that older culms of   Dendrocalamus strictus became 40-50 percent stronger and stiffer than young ones. Maximum

values were found in 3-6 year old culms found highest values in 3-4 year old culms of  Bambusa nutans. There is also variation in strength properties along the culm height as well. Compressive

strength tends to increase with height. The strength increases from the central to the outer part. There is more than 100 percent variation in strength from the inner to the outer layers. In the United States, interest in bamboo has increased as several studies have been done to evaluate  bamboo’s physical and mechanical properties and its utilization potential as an alternative to

wood resources. The objectives of this study were to study: (1) vascular bundle concentration at different ages and heights, (2) fiber characteristics, (3) contact angle of different la yers, (4) moisture content, SG, and bending properties, along longitudinal and radial directions of one, three, and five year old bamboo and determine the correlation between SG and  bending properties, and (5) compressive strength of bamboo at different ages and heights. ↑http://www.google.com.ph/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=bamboo%20properties&source=web&cd=2&c

ad=rja&sqi=2&ved=0CCYQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fusers.telenet.be%2Fjeffstubbe%2Fthesis% 2Fdocumenten%2Fpapers%2FPHYSICAL%2C%2520CHEMICAL%2C%2520AND%2520MECHANIC AL%2520PROPERTIES%2520OF%2520BAMBOO%2520.pdf&ei=nrhKUKqtL4eHmQW1x4DQCw&u sg=AFQjCNG_af-gpwdyoB-deaHBdxnOBl32cA

Mechanical properties of bamboo The lignifying cell construction of the bamboo texture and its technical conditions are very similar to the original texture of wood. Whereas wood has got a hard centre [Hirnholz] and  becomes weaker towardsthe outer parts [Splintholz], the bamboo is in its outer parts hard and in its inner parts weak, what causes a much more stable construction. From the inner parts of the tube towards the outer parts you can realize a continious accumulation of the [Leitbündel]. The more stable fibre structures are most dense where you find the strongest statical stress.

Compressive Strength Compared to bigger tubes slim tubes have got in relation to their cross section a higher  compressive strength parallel and vertical to their fibre. That relatively slimmer tubes possess  better material conditions is caused by the fact that bigger tubes have got a minor part of the outer skin, which is very resistent in tension. The unlimited longitudinal cleavability of the  bamboo tube wall inside of the internodium is caused by the strictly parallel directed fibres.

Inside thenodium they cross each other in each direction. This amplification knots with its strongly silificated diaphragms increase the cleavability strength and the buckling strength of the tubes. Even more we know that a cylindrical tube compared to a solid round bar possesses a much higher flexural strength. The portion of lignin affects the compressive strength. Whereas the high portion of cellulose influences the buckling and the tension strength, because it represents the building substance of the bamboo fibre.

Tensile strength Bamboo is able to resist more tensile than compression. Slim tubes are in this occasion superior, too. Inside the silificated outer skin you find axial-parallel extremly elastical fibres with a tensile strength up to 40kN/cm². As a comparison: extremly strong wood fibres can resist a tension up to 5 kN/cm² and steel St37 can resist as highest possible a tension of 37 kN/cm² (ultimate stress limit/breaking limit!)

Elastical modulus In connection with the elastic modulus you can see an advantage in the use of slim tubes in relation to their cross section, too. The accumulation of highly strong fibres in the outer parts of the tube wall also work positive in connection with the elastical modulus like it does for the tension shear and bending strength. There exist an perfect relation of the cross section of the tube, if you fall below or above it the elastical modulus decreases (the higher the elastical modulus of the bamboo, the higher is the quality). Like the elastical modulus of solid wood the one of bamboo also decreases 5 to 10% with growing stress. The enormous elasticity makes  bamboo to be a very useful building material in areas with high risk of earthquakes. In Asia they still construct scaffolds with bamboo tubes.

Shearing strength Especially for the construction of the bamboo tube joinings it is important to consider the shearing resistance. The influence of the distance of the shearing surfacedecreases with growing length of shearing surface. At a wall thickness of 10 mm the shearing strength is about 11% lower than at a tube with a wall thickness of 6 mm; this could be explained by the distribution of  the high-strength fibres per cross section surface. The Values of the tables are from internodium material. The values for the nodien material are about 50 % higher. ↑http://www.google.com.ph/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=bamboo%20properties&source=web&cd=5&c

ad=rja&sqi=2&ved=0CEIQFjAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbambus.rwth-aachen.de%2Feng%2FPDFFiles%2FMechanical%2520properties%2520of%2520bamboo.pdf&ei=nrhKUKqtL4eHmQW1x4D QCw&usg=AFQjCNFNtPj3wkWeTIovPhSMSOildh-NeQ 

Production Processes Generally, bamboo products are classified as primary (poles, shoots and s tumps), secondary or semi-processed (sawali, splits, sticks, boards) and finished products (handicraft, furniture and ready to cook/eat shoots). Primary and secondary products are inputs for various industries including housing, fishing, agriculture and manufacturing while finished products are directly channelled to end-users in both domestic and export markets for direct consumption (OIDCI, 1997).

Primary Products and Its Processes of Production a. Poles - The most common shape of the full culm is usuallly tapered from the butt to the tip.  b. Shoots - This is the emerging portion of the rhizome that becomes the culm/pole, a number of   bamboo shoots are edible. c. Stump - This is the portion of the bamboo plant/clump left after harvesting.

Secondary Products and Its Processes of Production a. Sawali Bamboo mats are made by plaiting splits. The matting is used for interior walls partitions, ceilings doors and windows and for exterior walls. Mats are produced in a variety of shapes and  patterns.  b. Splits The term split is used for any shape smaller than a quarter of the culm. Generally, splits are not used as building components but are woven into mats or made into lashing. c. Boards Bamboo boards are commonly used for flooring walls and even roofing. A board consists of  culm that has been cut and unfolded until it is almost flat.

Finished Products a. Furniture Furniture made of bamboo include sala set, dining tables, corner and center tables, cabinets,  beds, lounging chairs, sofa beds and rocking chairs.

 b. Handicraft These are non-traditional products made of indigenous raw materials like wood, rattan, bamboo,  buri, abaca and handwomen, fibers. Products of the handicraft industry include trays, brooches,  pen holders, wall decor, boxes, decorative baskets, vases, fans, and fancy items. c. Processed foods Bamboo shoots throughout Southeast Asia are eaten fresh, pickled or diced. Processed  bamboo shoots from various producing countries are being exported to more than 20 countries including the Philippines.

The role of bamboo in the construction industry, fishing, agriculture and pulp/paper industry. Bamboo is a popular construction material for low cost houses among the Filipinos especially those living in the countryside. Its popularity is due to several reasons which include 1) abundance of material, 2) simple tools may be used in building a house, 3) existence of  traditional skills and methods necessary for construction, and 4) the bamboo house which can easily be built is well ventilated, sturdy and earthquake resistant. Inspite of these reasons, there are difficulties faced by the users in processing and mechanically fabricating bamboos due to its physical characteristics. These are the variation in dimensions, crookedness of the culms, non-uniformity of internodes and uneveness of taper. Bamboo is developed into various product lines for the construction industry (OIDCI 1997) and this include packaged "Bahay kubo", sawali sheets, bamboo roof (shinges), bamboo spokes and bamboo splits. There are likewise new products such as panel boards, plyboo, sawali  board, plyboard, and laminated board which are potential substitutes for plywood and lawanit. ↑https://www.bamboosa.com/bamboo.php?PID=63

Alternative Materials Rock 

Rock is a great way to get away from traditional materials that are harmful to the environment. Rocks have two great characteristics: good thermal mass and thermal insulation. These characteristics make stone a great idea because the temperature in the house stays rather constant thus requiring less air conditioning and other cooling systems. Types of rocks that can be employed are reject stone (pieces of stone that are not able to be used for another  task), limestone, and flagstone.

Straw

Straw bales can be used as a basis for walls instead of drywall. Straw provides excellent insulation and fire resistance in a traditional post-and-beam structure, where a wood frame supports the house. These straw walls are about 75% more energy efficient than standard drywalls and because no oxygen can get through the walls, fire cannot spread and there is no chance of combustion. Cordwood

Cordwood is a combination of small remnants of firewood and other lumber that usually go to waste. These small blocks of wood can easily be put together to make a structure that, like stone, has great insulation as well as thermal mass. Cordwood provides the rustic look of log cabins without the use of tons of lumber. You can build an entire building with just cordwood or use stones to fill in the walls. Rammed Earth

Rammed Earth is a very abundant material that can be used in place of concrete and brick. Soil is  packed tightly into wall molds where it is rammed together and hardened to form a durable wall  packing made of nothing more than dirt, stones, and sticks. Rammed Earth also provides great thermal mass, which means great energy savings. In addition, it is very weatherproof and durable enough that it was used in the Great Wall of China. Earth-Sheltered

Earth sheltering is a unique building technique in which buildings are completely constructed on at least one side by some form of Earth whether it be a grass roof, clay walls, or both. This unique system usually includes plenty of windows because of the difficulty involved with using too much electricity in such a house. This adds to the energy efficiency of the house by reducing lighting costs. Papercrete

Papercrete is an interesting and very new material that is a good substitute for concrete. Papercrete is shredded paper, sand, and cement mixed together that forms a very durable bricklike material. Buildings utilizing papercrete are very well-insulated as well as being termite- and fire-resistant. Papercrete is very cheap as it usually only costs about $0.35 per square foot. ↑http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_natural_materials

Additional Information Early use in paper Historically, China used the properties of bamboo to invent paper, using the inner pulp of   bamboo to make the first paper ever. According to Chinese historical accounts, Ts'ai Lun who lived in the Eastern Han Dynasty first invented paper in 104 CE. He took the inner pulp of the mulberry tree and bamboo fibers, mixed them with water and pounded them with a wooden hammer. He then poured the mixture onto a coarse woven cloth and let the water drain through to leave only the fibers on the cloth that formed the paper. An ancient book entitled “Bamboo” written between 265 to 316 AD lists 61 species and

varieties of bamboo in detail, including descriptions of their biological ch aracterizations as well as gardening techniques. It’s one of the oldest publications in history.

Other early uses of bamboo in China Bamboo has traditionally been used in China to make musical instruments, drinking cups and buckets, fishing rods, walls and structural posts, wicker furniture, rafts, carpets and even  phonograph needles. Many of these bamboo components are still being used today. Bamboo has also been a favorite cuisine ingredient in China for thousands of years. Archeologists have unearthed bamboo weaving relics in China that are thousands of years old at the ruins of Banpo village in Xian, Shanxi province. Bamboo was used in ancient China for arrows, books, palace buildings and many other items. Ancient Chinese civilization owes quite a bit to bamboo.

Bamboo records the roots of Confucianism Bamboo slips discovered in the 1990s have revolutionized what we know of the early days of Confucianism. In 1993, more than 800 bamboo slips were unearthed in Guodian in central China's Hubei Province that contained 13,000 ancient Chinese characters. Studies of  these slips provided new perceptions of Confucianism du ring its early days. Confucius’s

 philosophy provided the building blocks of China early culture and political system. The bamboo slips laid out the early principals of Confucianism in simplicity at its root core, simpler than modern visions of Confucianism had suggested. The fact that much of it was recorded on  bamboo shows the significance bamboo played in the early development of China.

A history that continues to evolve One of the main reasons bamboo has been proven so useful over history is the incredible rate at which it grows. As the fastest growing plant on earth, bamboo can grow as much as one meter in a single hour. Studies have shown some species grow 121 cm in a 24-hour period. With this kind of growth, it proved a versatile building option. In the modern world, bamboo is being utilized again as a basic building mechanism, being used on everything from houses to fencing to computer keyboards. ↑ http://www.bambooandtikis.com/bamboo-history