Kent Harries is an Associate Professor of Structural Engineering and Mechanics at the University of Pittsburgh, USA. His research focuses on fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) materials and – over the last five years – full-culm bamboo and the characterization of bamboo materials. He the author of over 220 peer-reviewed technical articles, and is Editor of the Journal of Construction and Building Materials and FRP International. He is an Associate Editor of the ASCE Journal of Bridge Engineering. Bhavna Sharma is a Senior Research Associate in the Department of Architecture at the University of Cambridge, UK. Her research focuses on the use of natural fibre-reinforced composites and the properties of full-culm and engineered bamboo as an alternative construction material.

• Part 1: Nonconventional and Vernacular Materials1. What we learn from vernacular construction2. Introduction to nonconventional materials and an historic retrospective of the field3. Future directions for nonconventional and vernacular material research and applications4. Characterization of vegetable fibers and their application in cementitious compositesPart 2: Natural Fibres5. Natural fibre-reinforced noncementitious composites (biocomposites)6. Straw bale constructionPart 3: Concrete and Mortar7. Utilization of industrial by-products and natural ashes in mortar and concrete: development of sustainable construction materials8. Dry-stack and compressed stabilised earth-block construction9. Unfired clay materials and construction10. Earthen materials and constructions11. Ancient stone masonry constructionsPart 4: Timber, Bamboo and Paper12. Nonconventional timber construction13. Bamboo material characterization14. Bamboo design and construction15. Engineered Bamboo16. An Engineered bamboo for structural applications17. Paperboard tubes in structural and construction engineering