BAMBOO

By
Harini V
3RD Year B.Arch
 INTRODUCTION
 Bamboo can be utilized as a building material for scaffolding, bridges, houses and buildings.
 Bamboo, like wood, is a natural composite material with a high strength-to-weight ratio useful for
structures.[1]
 Bamboo's strength-to-weight ratio is similar to timber
 Bamboo’s strength is generally similar to a strong softwood or hardwood timber.
 Do’s and Dont’s
 Bamboo has to be completely dry before using it in construction (preferable air dried).
 Do not use bamboo when it is less then 3 years of age. Only use mature bamboo of 4-6
years.
 Do not use bamboo poles with profound vertical cracks.
 Do not use bamboo that has flourished.
 Do not use conventional wood nails in bamboo joinery.
 Use nylon, steel or vegetal cord in joinery.
 When using bamboo as a column make sure that the lower part connecting with the
surface ends with a node.
 CUTS AND NODES
 Bamboo columns or
beams need to have a
node at both ends.
 When cant find bamboo
of the required length
with both end nodes in
place, should insert
a wooden cylinder of
the appropriate diameter
or a fitting piece of
bamboo with a node.
ONE EAR TWO EAR BEVELED FLUTE
FISH MOUTH
MOUTH

BAMBOO CUTS
 JOINING HORIZONTAL WITH VERTICAL ELEMENTS

Joining bamboo
with dowels and
lashing

JOINT WITH ONE OR TWO EARS: It is used to join bamboo

rafters, logs or lumber. Fish mouth joint
with pegs

Bamboo joint
with wooden
anchor
FLAP JOINTS: It is used when there is no lashing wire
available.
USE OF DOWELS AND ANCHORS
DOUBLE AND QUADRUPLE BAMBOO RAFTER SUPPORT
1. Beams formed by 4 or 6 members. The top
row is separated from the bottom with bamboo or
wood slats so that the upper bamboos do not
slide over the lower.
2. Central double rafter. It has a wide range of
applications in the construction of bridges and
structures for rural facilities.
3. Lateral double rafter. Each of the rafters is
secured independently at the side support and
each other. It is often used in the construction of
bridges and structures for rural facilities.

4. Lateral double rafters. Is often used as a

central support for bridge structures or sheds.
 JOINING AND FIXATION OF BAMBOO POLES

JOINT WITH DOWELS LATERAL

JOINT WITH DOUBLE CROSS JOINT CORNER
AND CLAMPING JOINT WITH
WOODEN WEDGE WITH DOWEL JOINT
FILTERS DOWEL