In response to the soaring prices of iron rods in Nigeria, some builders are turning to bamboo as a substitute for reinforcing housing structures. However, this shift has sparked fresh worries regarding the safety and potential collapse of such constructions. The recent volatility in Nigeria's building materials market, particularly the unprecedented price hikes in cement and rods over the last 30-60 days, has fueled this trend.

 

 

While acknowledging the necessity-driven innovation of using bamboo, Olufemi Babalola, CEO of Gravitas Investment Limited, developers of Gracefield Island in Lekki, Lagos, voiced concerns about safety. Despite the price of a 16mm rod skyrocketing from N8,500 to N18,500 within 60 days, Babalola emphasized the importance of organizations like the Council for the Registration of Engineering in Nigeria, Nigerian Society of Engineers, Nigerian Institute of Architects, and Standards Organisation of Nigeria in exploring bamboo's potential as reinforcement.

 

Despite safety concerns, some experts highlight the advantages of bamboo reinforced concrete (BRC) over steel reinforced concrete (SRC). They note that while BRC provides 50% more axial compressive strength than SRC without altering cross-sections, it also outperforms SRC in tensile tests. However, others raise valid concerns about bamboo's mechanical properties, including its significantly lower modulus of elasticity compared to steel, leading to higher deflection and reduced load-bearing capacity.

 

 

Structural engineers caution that bamboo's dimensional changes due to moisture and temperature variations, coupled with its susceptibility to environmental degradation and insect attacks, pose challenges. While some research suggests enhancing bamboo-concrete bonding with adhesives like epoxy, this method is costly. Moreover, bamboo's natural limitations, such as its inability to be shaped into desired forms or welded for continuous lengths, further underscore its drawbacks as a substitute for iron rods.

 

Despite these shortcomings, some Nigerians continue to utilize bamboo, resulting in a surge in its price. Fatimetu Momoh, a bamboo seller, highlighted the price hike, attributing it to logistics challenges and road levies. As a locally available resource, bamboo's increased usage raises questions about its sustainability and suitability as a viable alternative to iron rods in construction.

 

Source: BusinessDay