Standardizing Bamboo – INBAR Inputs
Since the late 1990s INBAR has worked with ISO TC 165 to publish three international standards:
ISO 22156: Applies to the use of bamboo structures or bamboo-based panels joined together with adhesives or mechanical fasteners. The standard is concerned with the requirements for mechanical resistance, serviceability, and structure durability.
ISO 22157-1: Specifies test methods for evaluating physical and strength properties, specifically – moisture content, mass per volume, shrinkage, compression, bending, shear, and tension.
ISO 22157-2: Provides informative guidelines for staff in laboratories on how to perform tests according to ISO 22157-1.
This work has had significant impact globally, with a number of INBAR member countries subsequently developing chapters on bamboo in their national building codes, referencing these standards, including: India, Ecuador, Peru and Colombia.
INBAR is currently working on three new ISO working items for ISO TC 165:
- A new standard on ‘Bamboo Structures – Structural Grading of Bamboo Culms – Basic Principles and Procedures’
- A revision of current ISO standard ‘Bamboo Structures – Determination of Physical and Mechanical Properties of Bamboo Culms – Part I: Test Methods’
- A revision of current ISO standard ‘Bamboo Design’
Working Group 12 Convenor: Liu Kewei, Coordinator for Global Bamboo Construction Programme.
