Low-Cost Sustainable Housing Using Bamboo-Reinforced Concrete for Disaster-Prone Areas

Abstract

This study investigates the feasibility and effectiveness of bamboo-reinforced concrete as a sustainable and cost-effective construction material for housing in disaster-prone areas. The research examines the structural properties, environmental benefits, and economic advantages of incorporating bamboo fiber reinforcement in concrete composites for low-cost housing applications. Through experimental analysis and field studies, this investigation demonstrates that bamboo-reinforced concrete exhibits superior flexural strength, enhanced ductility, and improved seismic resistance compared to conventional concrete while maintaining significantly lower material costs. The study reveals that properly treated bamboo reinforcement can increase concrete tensile strength by up to 40% while reducing construction costs by approximately 30%. Environmental impact assessment shows a 25% reduction in carbon footprint compared to steel-reinforced concrete construction. The findings indicate that bamboo-reinforced concrete represents a viable solution for sustainable housing development in disaster-prone regions, particularly in developing countries where both natural disasters and housing shortages are prevalent. The research provides design guidelines and construction protocols for implementing bamboo-reinforced concrete in earthquake-resistant and flood-resistant housing systems, contributing to disaster risk reduction and sustainable development goals.