Bamboo as a Construction Material

With emphasis on building elements

Presented bySethu Sai KrishnaNithin Shenoy T Karan Shiyal

Bharath ChandraSai Praveen
Anudeep Raviteja -

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INTRODUCTION
Bamboo is a versatile, strong, renewable and environment
friendly material.
It is exceedingly strong for its weight and can be used both
structurally and as a finish material.
Bamboo is recognized as one of the most important nontimber forest resources because of the high socio-economic
benefits from bamboo based products.
Bamboo can be recombined into useful products and elements
such as flooring, ceiling, walls, partition walls, trusses, domes,
etc.

OBJECTIVES
1. To study important characteristics of bamboo
as it significantly contributes to the structural
soundness and durability of the houses.

2. To explore and study the modern construction

techniques of bamboo used for the construction
of building elements.

B AM B O O I N B U I LD I N G S
Bamboo has good engineering properties and it is a
feasible substitute for other materials for housing and
construction sector.
Bamboo has high tensile strength, very good strength to
weight ratio. It can be easily worked upon by simple tools.
It can resist forces created by high velocity wind and
earthquake.
Bamboo and components made of bamboo are
environment friendly, energy efficient and cost effective.

SELECTION OF BAMBOO SPECIES

It should be available in large quantity from near by

plantations.
Transportation should be economic.
It should have good engineering properties.
Considering these factors, Dendrocalamus Strictus is
selected as it is available in abundance in the region and has
good engineering properties to be used as a construction
material.

B AM B O O S I Z E S
Bamboo sizes are generally specified by minimum diameter, wall
thickness, and length.
Column 80-100mm dia
Wall thickness 10-12mm dia
Bamboo strips for infill panels 18-20mm wide, 8-10mm thick

B AM B O O : A B U I LD I N G S YS T E M
A building system in which bamboo comprises of various
elements and fulfils the main structural role.
Round bamboo columns and trussed rafters act as the main load
bearing element.
Composite bamboo grid/cement mortar infill panels act as shear
walls to resist wind and seismic forces. The system comprises of
FOUNDATION: individual column footings.
COLUMNS: bamboo culms set in/on concrete footing.
WALL INFILL: a grid of split bamboo covered in wire mesh and
cement mortar.
FLOOR: raised by 2-3 brick courses, filled with rubble and screeded.
ROOF STRUCTURE: bamboo rafters or trusses supporting bamboo
purlins. Corrugated bamboo mat board for roof covering.
DOORS AND WINDOWS: bamboo mat board shutters.

B AM B O O PR O T E C T I O N
Bamboo is susceptible to attack by insects and
fungi, and its life could be as low as one year when it is in
ground contact.
PROTECTION BY DESIGN
1. Large roof overhangs prevent
direct wetting of walls in heavy
rains.
2.

Drainage channels/gutters to
discharge water at a safe
distance from the building.

3.

The risk of flooring can be

reduced by building on a
slightly sloping site and using
raised masonry or concrete
footings.

PROTECTION BY DESIGN
1. Raising bamboo columns
or wall panels clear of the
ground reduces risk of
termite infestation.
2. Termite shield formed out
of galvanized steel or
aluminum sheet between
footing and walls.
3. Hollow culms should be
plugged.
4. Cavity walls should be
avoided.

PROTECTION BY PRESERVATION

DIP DIFFUSION METHOD

Bamboo culms are prepared to size and

submerged in Borax/Boric Acid solution which is
a water soluble preservative for several days. The
preservative enters the culm through ends and
holes drilled in internodes.
This process is suitable for both green and dry
bamboo.

 HOT AND COLD METHOD

The bamboo to be treated is submerged in a tank
of preservative that is directly heated by fire
after being maintained at a constant temperature
for a period, the tank is allowed to cool.
During the cooling process, the preservative is
drawn into the bamboo.
The hot and cold method can be used for
green or dry bamboo culms with either Boron or
Creosote.

AN O VE RVI E W
STAGE
S

1. Treated bamboo columns are in/on steel shoes or individual

concrete footings. The plinth is built up to floor level using
bricks, stones.
2.

Timber wall plate is fixed to the tops of the columns.

Treated bamboo strips are wired to other and to steel dowels
passing through the column.

3.

The grid is covered in chicken mesh. Cement plaster is done

on both sides of the grid to a finished thickness of 50-60mm.

FOUNDATION AND FLOOR DETAILS

1. Where the column is set in the footing, it should be
(400x400x400)mm deep. Where the column is set on
the footing using a cast-in steel shoe, the footing
should be (400x400x400)mm deep.
2.

The floor is raised by 200-400mm above the ground

level, using bricks, concrete blocks/stones, to define
plinth perimeter. It is filled with compacted earth,
topped with half bricks and screeded with 20mm of
cement mortar.
COLUMNS

1. Treated bamboo culms, 80-100mm in dia, provide

basic load bearing framework for the building. The
columns are spaced at intervals of 1.2m.
2.

Timber wall plate, 100x38mm in cross section is

fixed to the columns by screwing or skew-nailing
into wooden plugs.

WALL INFILL PANEL

1. The wall infill comprises
a grid of split bamboo,
20x10mm, tied together at
150mm spacing using
mild steel binding wire,
and set between the
columns.
2.

Chicken mesh is fixed on

the outer face of the grid.

3.

Cement plaster is applied

on both sides to a finished
thickness of 50mm.

ROOF
1. The roof comprises bamboo trusses at 1.2m
spacing, located over the columns.
2. The 3mm BMCS are laid and fixed using J-bolts
and bitumen washers.

FAB R I C AT I O N O F S T R U C T U R AL M E M B E R S
All structural members like columns, beams, trusses, purlins are pre-fabricated
and made of bamboo.
Bamboo Mat Corrugated Sheet (BMCS), Bamboo Mat Board door and window
frames and panels are the special features of this housing project.
COLUMNS
After completing conventional plinth,
columns are erected. For a single dwelling 6
columns are required.

Bamboo
Pre-fabricated
column cap
Bamboo
and gusset
column with
plate made
cross bracings
out of bamboo
Column ready for erection
mats

FABRICATION OF STRUCTURAL MEMB

ECOLUMNS
RS
Prefabricated bamboo
columns are aligned and erected
over concrete pedestal, to avoid
ground contact.
Water repellent coat is
applied over the part of column,
which is embedded in concrete in
order to minimize water absorption
by bamboo from 1:2:4 concrete at
the time of fixing into concrete.

Column is embedded in
PCC 1:2:4 up to +750mm
GL

Wall section with

foundation details

FABRICATION OF STRUCTURAL MEM

B
ER
COLUMNS
Column consists of 4
bamboos interconnected with
cross bracings. Cross bracings
also reduce effective length of
column and helps in increasing
load carrying capacity of
column.

Bamboo
Brackets
supporting the
roof

Bamboo
screwed to
avoid
splitting

Column details

FABRICATION OF STRUCTURAL MEMB

EBEAMS
RS

Beam ready for erection

Beam resting on column
and supporting BMCS

For a single dwelling 4 beams are

provided. Single beam consist of 4 long
bamboos with cross bracings. Additional
bamboos are provided to facilitate the
arrangements of shelves and lofts.
4 bamboos are convenient to place
column cap, fix beam and truss over cap.

Column, Truss and Beam junction

FABRICATION OF STRUCTURAL MEMB

ETRUSS
RS

Bamboo prefabricated truss

supporting BMCS
and purlins. Also
seen, bamboo
mats used in
upper 1/4th area
of wall for light
and ventilation.

Truss ready for erection

3 trusses are required for a single dwelling. Queen post trusses are prefabricated as per drawings and specifications. Fabrication of truss member is
comparatively complicated. Single bamboo is sufficient as a structural member of a
truss though the double member is provided considering aesthetics and
convenience for joinery.

FABRICATION OF STRUCTURAL MEM

BCOMPOSITE
ERS
WALL
Composite wall consists of
Bamboo mat as a filler.
Wire mesh fixed over mat surface.
Plaster in cement mortar 1:6 on both
sides.
Brick masonry in cement mortar 1:6
is provided from plinth level up to 300mm
height and composite wall starts at this
level.
Bamboo mat
consists of half split
bamboos placed
vertically at 300mm
c/c. Lower end of
half split bamboo is
inserted in brick
masonry. Upper end
is fixed to the tie
beams and extended
up to inner surface

Plan

Composite wall detail

FABRICATION OF STRUCTURAL MEM

B
ERS
COMPOSITE
WALL
Bamboo columns are covered with bamboo strips
in such a way that junction between wall panel and
columns will be free from gaps.
Columns are covered separately to facilitate
alteration and modifications without damaging the
composite wall panel.
Wire mesh is fixed over mat surface, as stretched
as possible and 20mm thick cement plaster in cement
mortar 1:4 is applied over mat surfaces on both sides.
Total thickness of Composite wall is 75mm which
provides good temperature insulation.
Column separate
bamboo mat

Horizontal strips
woven around half
split bamboo

MERITS OF BAMBOO IN BUILDING

1. AFFORDABILITY
Foundations are minimized, wall panels are non-load bearing and can
be reduced in thickness, and the basic components (bamboo, wire, bolts,
chicken mesh) are inexpensive.
2. SUSTAINABILITY AND
Bamboo is a IMPACT
renewable resource with a short rotation period and can
ENVIRONMENTAL
be grown on degraded land. It is treated using environment-friendly
preservatives. The use of high energy embodied materials (cement, steel) is
minimized.
3. CULTURAL ACCEPTABILITY
The system offers traditional materials in a modern engineering
context.
4. DURABILITY AND SAFETY
All bamboo components are treated with safe preservatives to give
extended life, the structure is engineered to resist wind and seismic forces, and
other imposed loads.

MERITS OF BAMBOO IN BUILDING

5. IMPROVED JOINTING TECHNIQUES
Nailing is eliminated; wiring, bolting and strapping provide
positive connections.
6. MODULAR CONSTRUCTION
Bamboo is suited to both prefabrication and fabrication in situ: All
components are designed to be prefabricated (ex-infill grids, roof trusses) or
prepared on site.
7. EASE OF ASSEMBLY
Only basic carpentry, masonry tools and skills are required to
undertake construction.

DEMERITS OF BAMBOO IN BUILDIN

1.G Bamboo lacks natural durability which contributes to the view of
bamboo as a temporary material.
2. Bamboo is susceptible to attack by insects and fungi and its service life
could be as low as one year when it is in ground contact.
3. Bamboo cannot span very large structures and high rise buildings cannot
be made from it.
4. Bamboo Mat Corrugated Sheets absorbs moisture more as compared
with asbestos and plastic corrugated sheets. This may influence its
durability in external utilization.

RECOMMENDATIONS
Cashew nut oil should be applied over exposed bamboo
regularly, to improve the life and service of bamboo members
and aesthetic also.
To make proper joints, bamboo
should be screwed and not nailed to
avoid splitting of bamboo.
Bamboo screwed
to avoid splitting
After fabrication, culms should be
closed from both sides with proper
infill material, to avoid insects and
termites enter it.
Culms closed from
both sides with
suitable material

REFERENCE

NMBA - National Mission on Bamboo Application, Delhi

- The Bamboo book (Training manual)
- Building with Bamboo (Training manual)
http://www.bambootech.org/subsubtop.asp?subsubid=110&subid=42&sname=
usage

Internet

www.villagevolunteers.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/B
amboo-House-Building-Manual.pdf

CIBART -Centre for Indian Bamboo Resource and Technology

INBAR International Network for Bamboo and Rattan

Thank you