Summary + Reader Response_Draft 3

 

In the article, “An Architect’s Guide to Building with Bamboo”, Vadot, (n.d) states that bamboo is a reliable and sustainable future construction material. The author finds that bamboo flourishes well across the world with little maintenance and grew more near equator. He adds that it is best to harvest the bamboo between four and six years so that it becomes construction-grade material, and often, referred to as the steel’s alternative. Bamboo is naturally protected against microorganisms from "cut close to its base" harvest method. The author asserts that an incredible lightweight material that can be used to accomplish stable, weight-bearing structures cannot be overlook in construction industry. Bamboo is lightweight, easy, and affordable to transport and low cost when bought near the plantation. Finally, Vadot highlights that bamboo is fragile and there is no standard design code for 1200 species of bamboo. While the author focused on advantages, he should also elaborate on disadvantages. In fact, he should explain the advantages and disadvantages systematically. 

First of all, the article does not clearly describe all the benefits of bamboo. The Author just briefly explains bamboo strength and construction use. I feel that Vadot’s article requires more description of bamboo’s strength with concrete evidence and how it is used in construction industry, rather than given few examples. There is no coherence in his explanation. In the article, “Environmental, social and economic sustainability of bamboo and bamboo-based construction materials in buildings” Kim, et al (2 May 2019), further explanations the features of bamboo, workability strength and its uses with examples and reference relevant articles to support his explanation. 

Secondly, Vadot mentions that it is hard to create standard code for 1200 species of bamboo. In the article, “Bamboo based biocomposites material, design and applications”, Suhaily et al. 2013 explains that there are 1575 different species of bamboo and ranging from woody to bamboo herd. Out of all these, only 20-38 species are suitable for construction material. I notice that there is contradicting information in both articles. I doubt Vadot’s credibility as he has not elaborated on the total number of bamboo species. Furthermore, I reckon that the article is lack of supporting information with verification that weigh down the article’s reputation.  

Furthermore, the author states that the bamboo is naturally protected against microorganisms. However, in the article “Studies on dimensional stability, thermal degradation, and termite resistant properties of bamboo (Bambusa tulda Roxb.) treated with thermosetting resins”, Deka M, et al, explains that bamboo must be treated to protect it from termites that was supported by their experiments. Once again, there is a conflicting information in both articles that overthrow the standing. 

Lastly, Vadot states that bamboo is fragile and there is no further explanation to it. At the same time, in the article “Disadvantage of Bamboo As A Construction Material” Jasondreamwork, (May 21 2016) describes that bamboo has short life span, it is prone to crush at weak joints, it has low structural efficiently and it shrinks. Bamboo has fair bit of disadvantages, which are ignored in Vadot’s article. In my opinion, Vadot fails to highlight both advantages and disadvantages equally that makes his article be one sided. From his article, I do not learn much about bamboo that make me harder to conclude or recommend to others who love to use bamboo for their home. 

In a nutshell, bamboo has its own good and bad. If  Vadot explains all the qualities and reinforce it with evidence, his article would be well grounded.  

References

Valot, C. (n.d). An Architect’s Guide to Building with Bambo. Architizer.   

    https://architizer.com/blog/practice/details/how-to-bamboo/  

Environmental, social and economic sustainability of bamboo and bamboo-based construction materials in buildings. Rashmi Manandhar, Jin-Hee Kim & Jun-Tae Kim, 02 May 2019.         
     https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13467581.2019.1595629

Bamboo based biocomposites material, design and applications. Suhaily et al. 2013.

https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?hl=en&publication_year=2013&pages=489-517&author=S.+S.+Suhaily&author=H.+P.+S.+A.+Khalil&author=W.+O.+W.+Nadirah&author=M.+Jawaidauthor=Y.+Mastai&title=Bamboo+Based+Biocomposites+Material%2C+Design+and+Applications

Studies on dimensional stability, thermal degradation and termite resistant properties of bamboo (Bambusa tulda Roxb.) treated with thermosetting resins. Deka M, Das P, Saikia C.N (January 2003).

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/233580520_Studies_on_dimensional_stability_thermal_degradation_and_termite_resistant_properties_of_bamboo_Bambusa_tulda_Roxb_treated_with_thermosetting_resins

Disadvantage of Bamboo As A Construction Material. Jasondreamwork, May 21 2016.

https://jasondreamwork.wordpress.com/2016/05/21/disadvantage-of-bamboo/