The Cross-Laminated Bamboo (CLB): A Comprehensive Review of Research and Development

Cross-laminated bamboo (CLB) has gained increasing attention as an emerging structural material combining high mechanical performance with remarkable sustainability potential. This comprehensive review summarizes and critically discusses the main advances and trends in CLB research, drawing on experimental, analytical, and numerical approaches reported in the literature. The review highlights that the mechanical performance of CLB depends on panel architecture, bamboo product type, and adhesive systems. Reported experimental results indicate that CLB panels can achieve competitive or higher mechanical performance than selected cross-laminated timber (CLT) configurations made from specific wood species, particularly in bending, compression, tension, and rolling shear. At the same time, the literature reveals variability associated with manufacturing parameters, adhesive types, and lamella orientation, which affects the comparability of results and highlights current challenges for standardization. Structural applications investigated include floor and wall panels, beams, and rocking walls, especially for seismic-resilient building systems. Despite growing experimental evidence, most investigations remain limited to laboratory-scale elements, with modelling simplifications that constrain predictive accuracy. This review identifies the main challenges and research opportunities towards industrial scalability, standardized testing procedures, and design models adapted to the specific behavior of CLB, paving the way for its consolidation as a reliable and sustainable construction material.