Bamboo Investments Get on Board With Tomorrow's Building Material

Investing in Emerald Knight Bamboo Also Investing in Strength

When a 7.5-magnitude earthquake hit the port city of Limon in Costa Rica in 1991, it left nothing but ruin in its wake. On their part, the three cyclones that hit the Cook Islands in 2005 caused storm surges that washed away much of the coastline. Despite the toll, a glimmer of hope stood against all odds in both Costa Rica and the Cook Islands: a couple of bamboo houses.

While it may not look like a super material, bamboo has been touted for being as strong as, if not stronger than, concrete and steel in some respects. While this sustainable construction material is currently used as scaffolding and for various ancillary functions, it won't be long until entire buildings are made out of this fast-growing grass. Making an Emerald Knight bamboo investment now can yield attractive rewards in the future.
Bamboo is like the underdog that won against long odds. The earthquake in Costa Rica leveled many homes made out of concrete and steel. The series of typhoons that hit the Cook Islands clocked in at an average of 175 mph, enough to generate storm surges as high as 15 feet. Where does bamboo get its uncanny strength?
Bamboo's strength is inherent; Scientists believe at three to four years old, bamboo achieves the ideal bending and compressive strength. Bamboo can still grow past the age of maturity, which increases its compressive strength, but at the expense of bending strength. Conversely, bamboo won't have enough strength to resist compressive forces in the plant's early years, but may be strong enough to resist serious bending.

Bamboo growers can choose to harvest the bamboo within this period, with specific pros and cons. In a study of preserved bamboo strength by Malaysian researchers, older bamboo tends to absorb less of the wood preservative than younger canes, regardless of the kind of preservative used. The drop in bending and compressive strength may be as much as ten percent.

Still, with proper design and adherence to building codes, bamboo is set to be the next sustainable construction material. Putting one’s money into an Emerald Knight bamboo investment not only provides the world with a ready source of durable materials; but also helps local economies thrive as they help meet the high global demand. Preserved or not preserved, bamboo is definitely stronger than it looks.