In this context, many researchers have been studying the
application of the locally abundant natural materials, such as mud-blocks,
natural fibers, burnt bricks, reinforcing soil or cement matrixes and bamboo
culms, as building materials. These materials and the traditional building
techniques have almost been forgotten for decades.
Unfortunately, even in the face of urgent need to provide
housing for the ever increasing population, conventional materials are used at a
very high cost. It is in this vein that the main focus of the researchers have
shifted to the use of non-conventional materials and techniques n the building
industry to reduce the cost of housing in the country.
It is significant to note that for a long time, the
mechanical behavior of bamboo has caught the attention of structural engineers,
architects, biologists, and materials researchers, due to the great potential of
bamboo as a construction material.
Bamboo presents advantages in relation to other
construction materials due to its lightness, high bending capacity and low cost,
besides the fact that it requires simple and low-cost processing techniques. It
is the fastest growing plant on earth in addition to being a renewable natural
resource.
Bamboo is also composite and functionally graded material,
more fibers are found on the outer side of bamboo, where higher strength is
required, in order to withstand wind loads, the most frequent loading of bamboo
in nature.
The inherent property of bamboo makes it an ideal material
to be used in the earthquake regions, especially in Accra (Mc McCarthy Hill,
Aplaku, West Legon, Kasoa, Botianor, Ashaiman and Legon). These areas are known
to be seismically active in West Africa. Other recommended areas for bamboo
housing include Apam, towns on the Akwapim Ridge, Cape Coast, Ho, Koforidua and
Obuasi. These areas were affected during the 1997 earthquake.
The engineering and safety application of this” magic
plant” (bamboo) has been of a great concern to researchers of the Building and
Road Research institute of the Council for scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
.The BRRI has roofed a three-unit classroom block with bamboo as a replacement
of timber for the local junior secondary school of Fumesua in the Ejisu –Juaben
District Assembly. The cost was reduced by about 50 pre cent. Bamboo housing
uses simple construction practices. Research has established that bamboo
projects have longer life-span just like sandcrete houses. It uses little
cement; and no painting.
In Ghana bamboo grows wild in the forest regions. However,
for the sake of all-time availability of the product, plantation is recommended.
Individuals, district assemblies, NGOs and government
agencies can benefit from such ventures, once bamboo as a construction building
materials is popularized and replicated in all 133 district assemblies in Ghana.
Bamboo plantation will then become a source of employment and revenue.
