This chapter intends to present general information about bamboo; the fast
growing grass with excellent mechanical properties. The potential of this material for
Architecture and Construction is discussed. Information concerning how to obtain the
plant and select appropriate culms/stems, to be employed for building is explored.
Physical properties as revealed through research in Brazil are also presented. As for
bamboo’s mechanical properties; compressive, tensile, and shear strength parallel to
the fibers are presented along with numerical values for various species. Specific
applications for bamboo, such as concrete reinforcement are also presented. And
finally, the potential of bamboo vessel impregnation with polymeric resins is described.
Keywords: Bamboo, Mechanical Properties, Polymeric Resin, Impregnation.
