Bamboo wastes good as cement-bonded board

LOS BAÑOS, Laguna – Bamboo wastes are good as main reinforcement raw material in the development of cement-bonded board (CBB).

This was found in studies done by the Los Baños-based Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI), an agency of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

The research was funded by the DOST-Philippine Council for Industry and Energy Research and Development (PCIERD).

"Bamboo showed better qualities to reinforce concrete compared to other agricultural wastes," said PCIERD as reported by DOST-Science and Technology Information Institute (STII) editor Rodel G. Offemaria.

In its study, FPRDI, currently headed by director Florence Soriano, noted that bamboo reinforcement considerably raises the load-carrying capacity of concrete beams.

"Well seasoned bamboo splits dip-coated with asphalt emulsion are also stronger concrete reinforcement than untreated counterparts," PCIERD stated.

Offemaria observed that bamboo-based CBB bends away from common CBBs in the market made of composite materials such as wood excelsior or agricultural residues, Portland cement, and cement accelerator and generally pressed under ambient conditions.

CBB has proven to be a versatile construction material for interior and exterior walls, dividers, and ceilings in low-cost housing projects. It has become a viable substitute for the expensive and increasingly supply-short plywood.

Government data show that plywood supply has slumped since 1987 with only 517,000 cubic meters in total production output. But the national housing needs continue to rise, with the National Statistics Office (NSO) estimating a huge backlog of 4.2 million units between 1990 and 1998 alone,

Metro Manila alone had a demand of 713,000 units.

"PCIERD believes bamboo is a smarter CBB reinforcement choice because the country abounds with bamboo supply," wrote Offemaria. "Bamboo is also gain acceptance as substitute for timber in construction of fishing raft, bridge, aquaduct, fence, axles, tool handle, cordage, basket, chopsticks, toothpicks, and others.

PCIERD reported that there are at present only four CBB producers in the country, mostly producing on per order basis with combined output that could supply 2,184 housing units annually.