jismart2020014: Design of Connectors for Bamboo’s Pre-fabricated Structural Frames

Abstract

Bamboo has become the new trend of sustainable materials to produce Sustainable Architecture. Bamboo Construction is the elaborated work and consumes lengthy construction time. Main factor is coming from connection complexity and requires time to construct them. This study investigates potential to introduce fabrication system, so construction can perform off-site, do pre-assembling, and do installation on site. This way can minimize the construction time. Connectors then are designed to accommodate the prefabrication process. Male and female connectors and anchors are the outcome of this study. Male connectors will be attached to end of bamboo culm, and then male members will connect to female star plate. Star plates are also designed to have different combination number of male connectors. Anchor connector is used for transfering loads to ground. All connectors are made of steel, so it can be mass produced, strong, and durable. After experimenting in putting all these connectors together, it is found that bamboo structures are able to be designed into many variety of form combination, and look attractive. In summary, this fabrication system has offered the efficiency, realistic process, and variety in geometry, which can be solving the problems of connection complexity, long construction time. Lastly, new fabrication system can help promoting more uses and experiments to do the innovative sustainable architecture.