Bamboo - A Living Composite

"It's as tough as steel and sturdier than concrete,
and it grows to timber size in a year."

Advantages

1. Bamboo does not have grain lines or large knots, which can give way under stress.
2. Bamboo is comprised of cellulose fibers, which run along the length of the culm, and a lignin matrix, a lighter-colored filler material.
3. The cellulose is very strong, while the lignin is relatively weak and soft. With a composite, you take the advantages of both materials.

Disadvantages

1. It burns very quickly.
2. Without proper treatment, termites and beetles bore into the culm and feed on the lignin.
3. Wet bamboo will rot in a matter of weeks.