Research Proposal: A Comparative Study of Bamboo in Construction

This research proposal investigates the viability of bamboo as a construction material in civil engineering, comparing it to traditional materials like steel. It outlines the history of bamboo use, its advantages (high tensile strength, light weight, environmental friendliness, and cost-effectiveness), and disadvantages (durability and quality concerns). The proposal details a mixed-method approach to data collection, including qualitative and quantitative methods, aiming to assess the feasibility of replacing steel with bamboo, particularly in developing countries, and projecting the future of bamboo in high-rise construction. The research questions focus on historical usage, comparative advantages and disadvantages, replacement potential, and future prospects, contributing to the ongoing search for sustainable and economical building solutions. Desklib offers a wealth of similar documents and study resources for students.

Running head: Research Proposal 1
A Comparative Analysis of Bamboo as a Construction Material in the Civil Engineering Sector
Name of Student
Name of Institution
Name of Course
Date of Submission

Research Proposal 2
Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction………………………………………………………………………………..3
1.1 Background and Statement of Problem…………………………………………………….3
1.2 Research Aims and objectives……………………………………………………………...4
1.3 Research Questions…………………………………………………………………………5
2.0 Literature Review……………………………………………………………………...….6
3.0 Methodology……………………………………………………………………………….11
3.1 Data collection………………………………………………………………………...……11
3.2 Data analysis…………………………………………………………………………..……12
3.3 Ethical Consideration………………………………………………………………..……..13
3.4 Research Schedule……………………………………………………………..…………..13
4.0 Conclusion………………………………………………………………………..……….14
References………………………………………………………………………….…………15

Research Proposal 3
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background and statement of problem
The dynamic nature of the society today has led to variations in lifestyles especially when
it comes to the kind of buildings that individuals would like to use. The changing scope of
consumer needs has equally altered a number of elements in the construction industry. At the
same time, the changing economic contexts have in one way or the other led to increase in the
cost of construction in terms of materials used not to mention labor and other requirements. In
order to counter the emerging issues, civil engineers are consistently researching for cheaper
alternatives in the construction industries. These strategies have been aimed at maximizing the
economic gains within the industry while keeping other factors such as labor and production
costs at a considerably constant level (Minks, 2011). One of the factors which have been
considered by Engineers include the incorporation of cheaper and readily available building
materials. However, one of the most evident challenges is the inability of some of these cheaper
alternatives to withstand the test of time in terms of durability and quality enhancement. The
situation therefore calls for the constructors to seek for a viable equilibrium between the
minimizing the related construction costs while still enhancing quality and durability of the
buildings.
One of the materials which has recently hit the headlines among the cheaper alternatives
is bamboo. The material has been useful especially in the construction of scaffolding, bridges
and building in addition to other structures. Bamboo has very high tensile strength and is often
used as a support material for concrete especially in the regions where it is readily available.
Furthermore, the material is light in weight and hence easy to carry around and use. This
characteristic could be attributed to its hollow and cylindrical shape. Bamboo has a relatively

Research Proposal 4
good strength to weight ratio and has been identified as a worthy rival for steel. The material
with reference to other construction elements comparatively has a number of advantages hence
could be considered as a cheaper alternative. Additionally, the material is environmental friendly
since it is produced through natural means as opposed to other materials which are industrially
manufacture leading to environmental pollution (Ricardo, 2015). In a world where
environmental conservation has become a key issue in every fraternity, using a material which
involves less impacts on the environment would be a welcome idea. However, there have been
issue of durability and quality when it comes to the use of bamboo in construction. In order to
deduce the possibility of using bamboo as an entire replacement for steel structures, this research
relies upon qualitative and quantitative approaches to establish the relevant arguments and
conclusions on the topic of study. The research process shall not only delve on the history of
bamboo use in construction but shall also identify the various merits and demerits associated
with the material by comparing it to other materials. The research shall finally make a conclusive
argument on the possibility of replacing steel with bamboo in the construction industry and the
benefits that would accompany such a transition.
1.2 Research Objectives
The research process shall be guided by the following objectives:
 To identify the history bamboo use in the past in the construction industry
 To establish the changes which might over occurred over time concerning the utilization
of this material in the building and construction industry.
 To outline the various advantages and disadvantages of bamboo through a comparative
analysis with other materials

Research Proposal 5
 To discuss the possibility of replacing steel with bamboo in construction especially in the
developing countries and the benefits that would accompany such a development.
 To project the future of bamboo in the construction industry especially in the
establishment of high rise buildings.
1.3 Research questions
The research process shall seek to respond to the following questions:
 How has bamboo been used in the past in the construction industry and are there any
changes which have occurred on it’s used over time?
 What are the advantages and disadvantages of bamboo when compared to other
construction materials such as wood and steel?
 Could bamboo be used as a possible replacement of steel and what benefits would
accompany such a transition?
 What is the projected future of bamboo use as a construction material in the industry?

Research Proposal 6
2.0 Literature Review
According to Nancy (2008), bamboo has gained popularity as construction material due
to the myriad advantages that can be attached to its use. The author points out the fact that the
natural source of bamboo is among the many reasons why it is becoming increasing preferred to
other materials which have to be industrially manufacture. As noted by the author, bamboo
forests are vast in Japan and other parts of Asia hence increasing its availability for various uses
not only in the construction of structures but other equally important objects as well. The author
is keen to note the impacts on the environment that arise as a result of industrial manufacture of
building materials such as steel. There is the continuous emission of poisonous gases such as
CO2 into the atmosphere which changes the atmospheric composition, leads to greenhouse effect
and other impacts on both human beings and plants. The industrial wastes that are dumped into
rivers and lakes also lead to water pollution and devastating effects on the aquatic life. On the
other hand, bamboo is a natural plant which grows majorly in swampy areas but can also be
managed in other locations through agricultural means (Chitkara, 2008). The author notes that
preparing bamboo as a construction material does not need major industrial measures hence
implying lower costs in the preparatory stages. The book outlines the various conditions that
support bamboo farming which acts as an appropriate eye opener for the researcher. This is
because through the discussion in this material, it is possible to establish the specific regions in
which bamboo would be more useful as a construction material. It is a fact worth noting that the
material would be overly useful in the specific regions where it can be obtained in large scale.
This reduces the costs that would be associated with having to transport it for long distances to
the construction sites.

Research Proposal 7
Lakkad (2011) identifies bamboo as a natural composite material with a high strength to
weight ratio. This implies that the material is strong and has a light weight most probably as a
result of its hollow structure. The strength to weight ratio is distinct attribute which keeps the
material at an advantage especially in comparison to steel and wood. The author points out that
the weight of bamboo gives adequate space and ability for its transportation especially to regions
where it cannot be produced agriculturally. In addition, the author notes that material’s light
weight is a crucial factor especially when it comes to using bamboo in scaffolding and in the
construction of high rise buildings. The article therefore outlines the aspect of weight and
strength as important factors which could make bamboo a considerable replacement for steel
especially in the construction of tall structures. This is because bamboo can be used to achieve
greater heights due to its versatility. Despite the fact that it is light and hollow inside, bamboo
has a tensile strength which rivals that of steel. As noted by the author, the rising costs of
construction in terms of materials places bamboo in a pole position to be utilized as a cheaper
alternative. The ease with which it can be carried adds to the list of the material’s merits hence
cold be considered in a situation where the constructors are keen on enhancing structure
strengths at a lower cost (Halpin, 2010).
Jonathan (2009) delves into the history of bamboo use in the building and construction
industry. The author notes that the material as traditionally used as a construction material in
South and East Asia as well as in some parts of South Pacific. He additionally points out that
bamboo was also used in the central parts of South America although its application was
minimal most likely due to its lesser known value by then. The author further argues that
bamboo in China and India was mainly used to build suspension bridges. A good example is the
Qian-Xian Bridge in China which was constructed way back in 960 AD and still stands strong

Research Proposal 8
majorly due to continuous maintenance. However, in China, the material was banned for used in
buildings beyond six stories. However in Hong Kong, it has remained a crucial supplementary
element in the building of skyscrapers. The material has also been utilized in architectural
designs in the Philippines where it majorly forms part of the basic buildings. The author however
points out that the utilization of bamboo in the construction industry continues to vary from time
to time especially due to the dynamic nature of the industry and its environment in addition to
the changing modes of consumer preference. He concludes by noting that the current advantages
that the current merits that can be aligned with the use of bamboo as a construction material
could be used to project the fact that it is likely to be one of the most sought after materials in
future.
As noted by Farrelly (2009), bamboo is a cheaper material when considered against other
materials such as wood and steel. The cost of producing steel through the rigorous industrial
processes is way higher than the cost of obtaining bamboo which is often achieved through
natural and agricultural means. The author argue that bamboo is stronger and yet lighter than
wood hence making it the better option of the two. Despite the fact that wood is also obtained
from trees which involve agricultural approaches, the industrial processes carried to prepare the
wood for final use as a construction material are cumbersome and costly. The stages are also
quite time consuming. At the same time, the material despite being light in weight still has a
tensile strength almost similar to that of steel. This makes it a cheaper alternative especially
during the construction of high rise building which require the use of materials that are easy to
manage but can as well be used to obtain the desired quality, strength and durability. The author
points out bamboo as one of such materials.

Research Proposal 9
The literature review above outlines a few aspects with respect to the use of bamboo as a
construction material. The review reveals that bamboo has a high tensile strength and is also
lighter in weight when compared to other materials like steel and wood. At the same time, the
material is cheaper to obtain and so is the cost of preparing it for final use. The fact that
structures built out of bamboo in 960 AD still stand up to date reveals the sheer resilience and
durability of the material. It therefore be concluded that with proper enhancement and material
treatment, bamboo could be used in future construction instead of steel.

Research Proposal 10
3.0 Methodology
3.1 Data collection
The research process shall rely on a mixed method approach to data collection and
analysis. It therefore implies that both the qualitative and quantitative approaches shall be
employed to enhance the effective completion of the project. The quantitative methods shall
comprise the use of random sampling, questionnaires and direct interviews. In line with random
sampling, a total of 10 civil engineering companies in Asia and UK shall be randomly picked
from the top 100 most successful companies. In addition, a total of 10 construction consultants
shall be picked for the research process. Finally residents specifically in structures made of
bamboo shall be randomly sampled in a bid to obtain a total population of 50 for the whole
project process.
The second approach of data collection shall involve the use of questionnaires. In this
case, the individuals obtained through sampling shall be issued with questionnaires containing
relevant details and questions attached to the research issue. The questionnaires shall be filled
and recollected within a period of 3 weeks. In order to cater for the challenges associated with
geographical distance between the researcher and participants, questionnaires shall also be
distributed in soft copy through online platforms like emails.
Direct interviews shall also be conducted on 20 individuals who shall be derived from the
total population of 50. The contents of these interviews shall be recorded and kept specifically
for the purpose of research. These methods were picked on because they enhance the validity and
reliability of the data obtained. The approaches are also cheap and relatively time saving
especially in situations where shorter distances are involved. It is however hard to ascertain the

Research Proposal 11
honesty of the responses since they are majorly based on individual points of view. Consistency
in responses would therefore be used to evaluate the reliability of the information obtained hence
eliminating this challenge. The qualitative method shall involve the review of literature and other
research materials touching on the topic of study. These materials shall be carefully scrutinized
to ensure that only the most relevant and informative ones are exposed to the review process.
3.2 Data analysis.
The data analysis approaches shall incorporate both mathematical and theoretical reviews. The
information obtained through the quantitative methods shall be arranged into tables based on
consistency. Graphs and charts shall then be constructed based on the results. These approaches
are effective since they give room for easy interpretation and analysis. The figures are also easy
to construct. On the other hand, information obtained through qualitative approaches shall be
subjected to contextual analysis with the main aim of identifying connected responses and ideas.
The deduced correlations shall further be analyzed using modes, variances and means. These
approaches of data analysis were settled on due to the fact that they enhance precision which in
turn enables the researcher to make the most tacit conclusions.
3.3 Ethical Considerations
The research shall be conducted in line with the ethical guidelines. The rights and privacy of the
respondents shall be upheld. The information obtained from these individuals shall be used
solely for the purpose of the research. In case the identity of a respondent is to be revealed, it
shall be done after receiving their consent.

Research Proposal 12
3.4 Limitations
The data collection processes shall cover a wide scope hence reaching out to the subjects may
require a lot of time and resources. The project flow may therefore be constrained by the
inadequacy of these vital needs.
3.5 Research Schedule
ACTIVITY PERIOD
Initial preparations 3 weeks
Collection of data 4 weeks
Analysis 3 weeks
Conclusion and report 2 weeks
Initial preparations
Collection of data
Analysis
Conclusion and report
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
Schedule
Weeks

Research Proposal 13
4.0 Conclusion
The proposal above gives a clear outline of the activities which shall be undertaken in a
bid to ensure the research process end successfully. The chosen methodologies are reliable and
effective (Barbara, 2010). The outcome of the research is going to be beneficial to various parties
including civil engineers and other stakeholders in the construction industry. Through the
research, it shall be possible to establish the feasibility of bamboo being used as a replacement to
steel which is heavy and expensive.

Research Proposal 14
References
Barbara, J. (2010). Construction Management Jumpstart. Indianapolis, Indiana: Wiley
Chitkara, K. (2008). Construction Project Management. New Delhi: Tata McGraw-Hill
Education, p
Farrelly, D. (2009). The Book of Bamboo. New York: Sierra Club Books
Halpin, D. (2010). Construction Management. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
Jonathan, B. (2009). Growing the Future of Bamboo Products. Journal of Engineering, 2(1), pp.
23-35
Lakkad; P. (2011). Mechanical properties of bamboo, a natural composite. Fibre Science and
Technology. 14 (4), pp. 319–322
Michelle, N. (2009). Bamboo Boom: Is This Material for You. Scientific American Earth, 3(1),
pp. 12-16
Minks, W. (2011). Construction Jobsite Management. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
Nancy, B. (2008). Bamboo in Japan. Kodansha International. 2(1), pp. 24-25.
Ricardo, V. (2015). A Production Model for Construction: A Theoretical Framework. Buildings.
5 (1): pp. 209–228.