Resumo

ROMERO MENDEZ, Mauricio Jesús et al. Greenhouse prototype with bamboo frame: materials selection, design and environmental impact. Rev. Mex. Cienc. Agríc [online]. 2017, vol.8, n.5, pp.1059-1072. ISSN 2007-0934.  https://doi.org/10.29312/remexca.v8i5.108.

This paper aims to develop a production alternative in protected crops for resource-poor farmers in México. The objectives were: i) determining the resilience of bamboo culms of four species: Bambusa oldhamii Munro, Bambusa vulgaris var. vulgaris Schrad, Bambusa vulgaris ‘Striata’ y Gigantochloa verticillata Willd.; ii) design a greenhouse prototype for arid zones with bamboo culms; and iii) to estimate the environmental impact in relation to involved CO2. The results of compressive strength show that species were statistically equal, as well as between the lower, middle and upper sections of the culms; the average values ranged from 645 kg cm-2 to 952.31 kg cm-2. Regarding to bending, no significant difference was found between species, only in sections; it is observed that bending decreases towards the top of the culms in the four species; the found average values ranged from 850.17 kg cm-2 to 1 927.63 kg cm-2. Regarding the tensión the difference was only between sections of the stems in B. vulgaris var. vulgaris, in this species the lower section averaged 1023 kg cm-2 and the top 727 kg cm-2. Using resistance data and agronomic characteristics desirable for greenhouses in arid zones, the structural design was determined using STAAD.Pro®V8i software. The prototype’s construction specifications are exposed to detail so that it can be reproduced without complications by producers. Finally an environmental benefit is estimated in emissions of CO2 of 2847 kg in greenhouse construction of 135 m2 compared to one of the same area made out of steel.

Palavras-chave : Bambusa spp.; arid zones; culms; materials resistance; protected crops.