"I wonder if the scaffolding is stronger than the building! I wouldn't be surprised if they were. "

Several years ago, there was an earthquake somewhere in Japan. There were before and after photos. The "before" photo showed a multi-story building under construction with bamboo scaffolding. The "after" photo showed the scaffolding still standing, & the building was a pile of rubble.

You can surround a planned grove of running bamboo with a two-foot-deep barrier of continuous pond liner type of plastic. It is best to angle it UP toward the outside of the grove. When the roots run, they hit the membrane and veer upward, where you can lop them off.

Sue