G. Wang’s scientific contributions

Bamboo materials for construction uses can be divided into structural materials, enclosure and decorative materials, and materials for other functions.

This chapter summarises the history and current research and development status of both full culm bamboo structures and engineered bamboo structures. Although it is difficult to map research and development, insight into both the depth and breadth of a field can be obtained by looking at the record of academic publishing in the field.

This chapter summarises organizations, institutions and relatively large-scale production and processing enterprises in China, which are committed to promoting the development of a bamboo construction industry.

Although China has the advantage of significant bamboo resources and a cultural foundation for the development of the bamboo construction industry, the construction technology and theoretical basis of modern bamboo construction has not been fully established.

This chapter introduces examples of commercially-built bamboo structures built in China in recent years. The chapter also presents number of non-commercial examples illustrate other promising application directions for bamboo construction.

Standards are critical for the development of bamboo construction sector. This chapter will introduce relevant international standards issued by International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and those standards (including national standards, industrial standards, provincial standards, association standards) issued by different authorities in China.

Bamboo, mainly distributed in tropical, subtropical and temperate regions between N46° and S47°, is one of the most important non-timber products around the world. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, bamboo forest area in the world totals 31.5 million hectares.