Yan Xiao is an engineer and Professor of Civil Engineering at USC. He is best known for inventing structural uses for bamboo.
Yan Xiao | |
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 Yan Xiao at 21st Amendment Brewery in San Francisco (January 2019) |
He describes his research interests as "seismic analysis and design of structures; experimental analysis of structures, components and materials, and implementation of new materials into structural design and retrofit."[1]
In 2006, Xiao developed a bamboo derived material known as GluBam that was strong enough to be used for beams and trusses.[2] He was able to build a 33-foot heavy use bridge, capable of supporting 8 tons, in Leiyang, Hunan, using the material.[2] A principal advantage of GluBam is construction of large structures such as a bridge doesn't require heavy machinery.[2] The bridge was assembled in a quick 10 days.[3] In addition to the machinery and speed requirements, the GluBam beams cost 20 percent as what imported lumber costs. Rural China also has a constantly replenishing supply of bamboo.[4]
While on sabbatical in 2008, he created quick to build homes made from the material to be used as a rapid housing solution following the 2008 Sichuan earthquake which had left many homeless.[5]
Xiao was featured in Popular Science's Top 100 Innovations of 2008 for "Glubam Construction: The Sustainable Bridge."[6]
References
edit- ^ "US-China Institute :: China @ usc :: Xiao, yan". Archived from the original on 2008-09-28. Retrieved 2018-05-24.
- ^ a b c "Where's The Best Of What's New?". Popsci.com. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
- ^ "China builds world's first bamboo road bridge". Chinadaily.com.cn. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
- ^ "Top 100 Innovations of 2008". Popsci.com. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
- ^ "Bamboo instant houses will soon shelter Sichuan quake victims". Physorg.com. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
- ^ "The Bamboo Builder". Popsci.com. Retrieved 10 June 2020.