The Lecturer of ITN Uses Bamboo as Steel Replacement in Construction

TIMESINDONESIA, JAKARTA – Having so much creative and innovative lecturer, Institut Teknologi Nasional (ITN) Malang once again creates an leading innovation. This time in the form of bamboo which used as a steel replacement on concrete construction.

This innovation is created by Ir Esther Priskasari MT, the Head of Soil Mechanics ITN Malang. It maybe simple, but it has a great impact, she said.

"Bamboo used with roughing process on its surface," she explained.

For the roughing process, dried bamboo stem is covered with wire coil. This process makes a higher adhesiveness on bamboo stem, just like on steel.

Esther said this research is inspired by threaded steel which has a rough surface. According to her, the use of bamboo for construction is already widely applied. But Esther makes it perfect by applying coil on its surface.

"There is a basic science, reinforced bamboo is already applied on the field. This reinforcement is needed so the building won't shrinked or cracked." she add.

Esther, the lecturer of bridge planning subject, explained that bamboo has a good strength and also light-weight, especially for plate-like construction.

But she also said that bamboo has a shortage, which is hydroscopic stickiness, or fluctuating water content.

"If the water content subside, there is hollow space. It makes the collaboration between reinforcement and the concrete also dwindle. Thus, the coil is applied so there is no hydroscopic nature. But before that, the bamboo must be dried," she concluded. (*)

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