MATERIAL DATA SHEET

Cross-Laminated Bamboo (CLB), structural panels (75mm, 100mm, 125mm, 150mm)

Bamboo
organic › Plant-Based › Bamboo
organicplant-basedbamboocross-laminatedstructural-panelengineered-bamboomass-bamboorenewablecarbon-negativeprefabricatedemerging-technology
ATLAS CODE
ORG-BAM-EBP-004
Cross-Laminated Bamboo (CLB), structural panels (75mm, 100mm, 125mm, 150mm)
Category organic
Material Family Plant-Based
Regulatory Status Combustible — charring behaviour similar to mass timber
Density
600-1100 kg/m3
Carbon (A1-A5)
-50 to 30 (potentially carbon-negative) kg CO2-eq/m2
Fire Class
Combustible — charring behaviour similar to mass timber
Lifespan
50-100 years
Description

Cross-Laminated Bamboo (CLB) is an innovative engineered structural panel system that applies cross-lamination technology to bamboo strips, creating high-performance building panels similar to Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT). The panels are manufactured by arranging bamboo strips in alternating perpendicular layers (typically 3-7 plies) and bonding them with structural adhesives under pressure. This cross-laminated construction greatly attenuates natural bamboo anisotropy, reducing bending anisotropy ratios from 8+ (parallel strand lumber) to approximately 1.5-2.1, creating dimensionally stable, high-strength panels suitable for walls, floors, and roofing applications in multi-storey construction.

Primary Sectors
[Commercial][Institutional]
Typical Uses
  • Multi-storey structural walls and load-bearing elements
  • Floor and roof decking systems
  • Prefabricated building panels and modules
  • Seismic-resistant construction systems
  • Sustainable commercial and institutional buildings
  • Mass timber alternative for carbon-conscious projects
  • Modular housing and rapid deployment structures
  • Educational and demonstration sustainable buildings
mm
Size
Primary Form [Standard / Structural / Panels / 2400 / 12000mm / Length / X / 1200 / 3000mm / Width. / Thickness: / 75mm / (3 / Ply), / 100mm / (5 / Ply), / 125mm / (5 / Ply), / 150mm / (7 / Ply). / Custom / Sizes / To / Manufacturing / Limits.]
Dimensional Tol. ± [Manufacturing tolerances: thickness +/-1mm, length +/-2mm, width +/-2mm, squareness +/-3mm per metre diagonal. Tighter tolerances for CNC-processed panels.] mm
Recycled Content 0-5
Renewable Content 83-90
Recyclability 40-60
Embodied Carbon -50 to 30 (potentially carbon-negative) kg CO2-eq/m2
Embodied Energy 15-40 MJ/kg
EPD Available No
Advantages
Rapidly renewable resource (3-5 year harvest cycle vs 20-80 years for timber)Up to three times the structural capacity of equivalent CLT panelsApproximately 40% denser than CLT — slower carbonisation rate improves fire performancePotential carbon-negative lifecycle through bamboo carbon sequestrationCross-lamination reduces anisotropy ratio from 8+ to 1.5-2.1 in bendingShear properties meet current CLT standards requirementsBamboo produces 35% more oxygen than equivalent tree plantationsBeautiful natural exposed structural appearance for architectural expressionLower embodied energy than steel or concrete structural alternativesContributes significantly to Green Star and LEED certifications
Cautions
Very high initial cost compared to conventional structural materialsExtremely limited commercial availability — no Australian structural CLB manufacturers at scaleNot recognised in NCC Deemed-to-Satisfy provisions — requires Performance Solution pathwayComprehensive fire testing to AS/NZS standards still incompleteRequires specialised structural design and engineering knowledgeQuality control critical — manufacturing variability affects structural performanceAll raw materials imported — long supply chains from China/SE Asia/South AmericaLimited standardised connection system options compared to CLT
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TECHNICAL DATA: PERFORMANCE PROPERTIES ORG-BAM-EBP-004
Density (Dry) 600-1100 kg/m3
Specific Gravity 0.6-1.1
Porosity 5-15 %
Water Absorption 5-12 %
Hardness 3800-5000 lbf (strand-woven face) Janka
UV Resistance Low-Moderate (requires protective coating)
Chemical Resistance Good
pH Tolerance 5-9 pH
Available Colors
Natural blonde (untreated bamboo — pale golden yellow)Carbonised (warm amber to medium brown from steam carbonisation at 170 degC)Custom stain colours (accepts oil-based and water-based stains)Clear-coated natural (enhanced grain visibility)
Surface Finishes
Clear polyurethane or lacquer (interior exposure)Hardwax oil (natural matte finish)UV-resistant exterior coating (required for outdoor exposure)Fire-retardant intumescent coating (for enhanced fire performance)Unfinished (for secondary cladding or lining)
Texture Options
Smooth sanded finish for interior exposureNatural bamboo texture with visible grainCarbonised (darker) surface treatmentWire-brushed textured finish
Pattern Options
Cross-laminated strip pattern visible on panel faceAlternating grain direction visible at panel edgesNatural bamboo node patterns in laminated bamboo stripsUniform linear grain in strand-woven/scrimber face layers
Compressive Strength 25-65 MPa
Tensile Strength 15-50 MPa
Flexural Strength 30-80 MPa
Elastic Modulus 10-17 GPa
Impact Resistance High J/m
Creep Resistance Good-Excellent
Abrasion Resistance Excellent
Thermal Conductivity 0.13-0.35 W/mK
Thermal Resistance R0.50-1.15 m2K/W
Specific Heat Capacity 1400-1700 J/kgK
Thermal Expansion 3-6 x 10^-6 mm/mK
Ignition Temperature 260-310 degC
Sound Transmission Class (STC) 35-50 STC
Noise Reduction Coeff. (NRC) 0.05-0.15 NRC
Optical
Light Transmittance 0 %
Light Reflectance (LRV) 35-65 %

Cross-Laminated Bamboo is an emerging technology developed in the 2010s, building on the success of Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) systems pioneered in Europe during the 1990s. Early CLB research began at universities in China, Colombia, and Europe where bamboo structural applications have longer histories. Guadua bamboo CLB (G-XLam) panels were among the first systematically tested, with research from the National Science Foundation and international partners establishing baseline mechanical properties. The first commercial CLB projects appeared around 2015-2020, primarily in countries with established bamboo industries including China, Colombia, and Vietnam. ISO 22156 (bamboo structural design) and ISO 22157 (physical/mechanical test methods) provided international standards frameworks. Australian interest in CLB has grown with increasing focus on carbon-neutral construction — House of Bamboo and Bord Products have introduced bamboo panel products, though structural-grade CLB manufacturing at scale remains absent from Australia. Current development focuses on building code approval (NCC does not yet include CLB in Deemed-to-Satisfy provisions for mass timber), standardised connection systems, fire performance characterisation, and manufacturing scale-up.

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SAFETY, ECOLOGY & INSTALLATION ORG-BAM-EBP-004
Flame Spread Index 50-150 (untreated) FSI
Smoke Developed Index 50-200 (treatment dependent) SDI
Combustibility Class Combustible — charring behaviour similar to mass timber
Ignition Temperature 260-310 degC
Fire Resistance Rating 30-90 (thickness dependent) minutes
Heat Release Rate 100-220 kW/m2
Toxicity of Combustion Moderate (adhesive dependent)
Embodied Carbon (A1-A3) -50 to 30 (potentially carbon-negative) kg CO2-eq/m2
Embodied Energy 15-40 MJ/kg
Water Footprint 150-500 L/kg
EPD Available No
Recycled Content 5%
Renewable Content 100%
LEED Points 8-14 points
Circular Economy Score 7.5 /10
VOC Emissions 20-120 (adhesive dependent) ug/m3
Skill Level Specialist (mass timber experience essential)
Crew Size 5-8 people
Installation Time 4-12 hours/10m2
Curing Time 0 (prefabricated) hours
Temperature Range 5-35 degC
Humidity Range 30-70 % RH
Required Tools
Crane or mobile lifting equipment for panel placement (panels 200-500+ kg each)CNC cutting equipment for openings, services penetrations, and connection detailsStructural fastening systems (self-tapping screws, angle brackets, hold-downs)Moisture content monitoring equipment (pin-type or resistance meter)Standard carpentry tools for field modificationsSafety equipment for structural installation at heightLaser level and survey equipment for alignment
Certifications Required
Structural engineering certification and oversight (PE/CPEng)Mass timber/CLT installation training (transferable to CLB)Crane and rigging operation certification (HRWL)Working at heights certificationManufacturer-specific product installation training
Weather Limitations
Protect panels from rain and standing water during storage and installationWind speed limitations apply for crane lifting operations (typically <40 km/h)Temporary weather protection required for installed panels prior to building envelope completionAvoid installation during sustained wet weather — moisture damage risk to exposed end-grain
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COMMERCIAL, LOGISTICS & REGULATORY ORG-BAM-EBP-004
Material Cost 250-600 AUD/m2
Installation Cost 100-250 AUD/m2
Annual Maintenance 2-8 AUD/m2/year
Lifecycle Cost (50yr) 350-900 AUD/m2
Market Availability Very Limited — Research/Pre-commercial
Lead Time 90-240 days
Supply & Logistics
Design Life 50-100 years
Warranty Period 10-25 (where available) years
Maintenance Interval 5-10 years
Service Temp Range -20 to 60 degC
Dimensional Stability 0.3-1.5 % change
Certifications Held
No CodeMark or JAS-ANZ certification for structural CLB in Australia (as of 2025)ISO 22157 testing methodology applicableManufacturer quality systems (ISO 9001) required for structural applicationsFSC — Forest Stewardship Council certification available for bamboo plantationsPEFC — Programme for Endorsement of Forest Certification (bamboo eligible)No Australian EPD currently registered for structural CLB panelsGBCA Green Star compliant (Bord Products LETO bamboo plywood verified)EcoSpecifier GreenTag (LETO bamboo plywood certified low VOC)E0/E1 formaldehyde emission classes achievable with appropriate adhesives
Fire Code Compliance
AS 1530.1 — Combustibility test (combustible material)AS 1530.4 — Fire resistance test (panel-thickness-dependent FRL, testing still limited for CLB)NCC Section C — Fire resistance requirements (Performance Solution pathway required — CLB not in DTS provisions)
Standards Compliance
NCC 2022 — NOT included in Deemed-to-Satisfy provisions for mass timber constructionPerformance Solution pathway required under NCC Section A2.2NCC mass timber DTS pathway covers CLT, GLT, LVL but NOT CLB specificallyStructural engineering certification required for each projectASTM D5456 — Standard specification for evaluation of structural composite lumber products (reference)ASTM E119 — Standard test methods for fire tests of building construction and materialsISO 22156:2021 — Bamboo structures — Bamboo culms — Structural designISO 22157:2019 — Bamboo structures — Determination of physical and mechanical properties of bamboo culmsEN 16351 — Timber structures — Cross laminated timber (reference standard for CLB testing methodology)

DISCLAIMER: This specification document is generated from the CLAD Materials Atlas Database. Information is for general guidance only and does not constitute professional engineering advice. Values are typical and may vary by batch, manufacturer, and production run. Verify suitability for specific project applications independently.

ID: ORG-BAM-EBP-004 Schema: v3.0
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