TRADITIONAL AND INNOVATIVE JOINTS

IN BAMBOO CONSTRUCTION

Von der Fakultät für Architektur

der Rheinisch-Westfälischen Technischen Hochschule Aachen

zur Erlagung des akademischen Grades

eines Doktors der Ingenieurwissenschaften
genehmigte Dissertation

vorgelegt von
Andry Widyowijatnoko

Berichter:
Univ.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. Martin Trautz
(RWTH Aachen)
Univ.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernd Baier
(Universität Duisburg-Essen)

Tag der mündlichen Prüfung: 13.07.2012

fable of Content

Acknowledgements ...................................................................................•................i
Abstract iii
Kurzzusammenfassung v
Table of Content ix
List of Figures xi
List of Tables xv
List of Symbol Definitions xvii
1 Introduction 1
1.1 Background 1
1.2 Objectives 3
1.3 Research Framework 4
1.4 Dissertation Contribution 5
1.5 Dissertation Outline 5
2 Characteristics of Bamboo as Building Material 7
2.1 Anatomy of Bamboo Pole 7
2.2 Mechanical Properties of Bamboo 12
3 Classification of Bamboo Pole Constructions 21
3.1 Traditional or Vernacular Bamboo Construction 23
3.2 Engineered Conventional Bamboo Construction 26
3.3 Substitutive Bamboo Constructions 28
4 Classiflcation of Bamboo Joints 31
4.1 Group 1: Transferring compression through contact to the whole section 35
4.2 Group 2: Transferring force through friction on the inner surface or compression to
the diaphragm 36
4.3 Group 3: Transferring force through friction on the outer surface 38
4.4 Group 4: Transferring force through bearing stress and shear to the bamboo wall
from perpendicular element connected from inside (4A) or outside {4B) 41
4.5 Group 5: Transferring force perpendicular to the fibers 45
4.6 Group 6: Transferring radial compression to the center of the pole through shear
and circumferential stress perpendicular to the fibers 46
4.7 Combinations 47
4.7.1 Group 1 and 2 48
4.7.2 Group 1 and 3 51
4.7.3 Group 1,3 and 4B 51
4.7.4 Group 1 and 4A 52
4.7.5 Group 1 and 4B 52
4.7.6 Group 1,2 and 4 53
4.7.7 Group 2 and 3 55
4.7.8 Group 3 and 4B 56
4.7.9 Group 2,3 and 4A 57

ix
5 Development of Bamboo Joints for Tension 59
5.1 Developmentof Joint Using the Hollowness of Bamboo 60
5.1.1 Cam Joint 60
5.1.2 Improved Nienhuys Joint 61
5.1.3 Ellipse Plate Joint 62
5.2 Development of Joint with Elements Attached Perpendicular to the Fibers 63
5.3 Developments of Lashing Joint Attached on the Outside 64
5.3.1 Lashing Configuration 66
5.3.2 Lashing Joints with Twisting as Pre-Tensioning 70
5.3.3 Lashing Joints with Swage Stud Terminal... 71
5.3.4 Lashing Joints with Eye-Bolt 72
5.3.5 Lashing Joints with Multi Knots 74
5.4 Comparison of Proposed Bamboo Joints 76
6 Tension Tests on Lashing-based Bamboo Joints 83
6.1 Understandingthe Mechanism of Force Transfer in the Joint 83
6.2 Radial CompressionTests on Bamboo Tubes 88
6.2.1 Methods and Materials 89
6.2.2 Results , , 91
6.2.3 Discussion 93
6.3 Tension Tests on Lashing Joint with Eye-Bolt 98
6.3.1 Methods and Materials 98
6.3.2 Calculations 100
6.3.3 Results 108
6.3.4 Discussions 111
6.4 Tension Tests on Bamboo Joint with Multi Knots 119
6.4.1 Method and Materials 119
6.4.2 Calculations 122
6.4.3 Results 124
6.4.4 Discussions 127
7 Applications ofthe Joints 131
7.1 Design Considerations 131
7.1.1 Factor of Safety 131
7.1.2 Customizationof the Tensile Strength of Bamboo Joint with Multi Knots 133
7.1.3 Using Joint for Bamboo with Different Properties and Different Rings 136
7.2 Applications of the Proposed Lashing Based Bamboo Joints 138
7.2.1 Bamboo Space Structure 139
7.2.2 Bamboo Tensegrity Sculpture 140
7.2.3 Bamboo Bridge 143
8 Conclusions and Suggestions for Further Works 149
8.1 Conclusions 149
8.2 Suggestions for Further Works 152
Bibliography 153