jailcd2020132: Innovative Connections of Bamboo Structure in Pre-Fabrication Process

Abstract

Bamboo architecture has become the new trend to respond to sustainability. Bamboo is the fast growing plant and abundant in Tropical area. The creation of Bamboo architecture has been interesting and corresponding to the local culture and available technology. It is indeed that making bamboo connections is the challenge of crating bamboo architecture. Some use screws, nuts and bolts, pipe clamps, ropes or cable ties, etc. Connecting bamboo culms is also the part that takes time the most during bamboo construction. This research investigates how the pre-fabrication process and be used in bamboo construction by using innovative connections to put bamboo culms together. The research then produces three different connection prototypes. They are connector's receivers and nozzles. Receivers can be noticeable as the female connector, located at bases on top of footing or foundation and to accept nozzles. The nozzles are noticeable as the male part that looks like an extruder attached to the end of culm and connect to the receivers. Nozzles are designed to be two kinds, connecting single culms and bamboo split bundles. All the connectors are produced using stainless steel. The research uses these connectors in real construction application, and verify the validity and performances of uses. It is verified that pre-fabricated bamboo connectors can minimize the time of construction and can bear great strength of the material. This research design experiment hopefully can motivate designers and architects to look into possibility to create bamboo architecture in more innovative, faster and better way to construct. Ideally, it is to promote more uses of bamboo as sustainable and future architecture.