Building with Bamboo

With emphasis on building elements

PRESENTED BY : VED PRAKASH

DE
ROLL NO : 261042
ACM SECTION 1

INTRODUCTION
Bamboo is a versatile, strong, renewable and
environment friendly material. It is a member of the grass
family, the fastest growing woody plant on the planet. It adapts
to most climatic conditions and soil types.
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 non-timber 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.

AIM

With the advent of new materials and technologies, the

aim is to study the modern construction techniques and
methods that have been locally developed for bamboo
construction.

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.

SCOPE OF WORK
To study the possible construction techniques of
building elements using bamboo, not only because of its
aesthetics, but also because of its proven durability and
success against natural disasters.

LIMITATIONS
The study for seminar have limitations of the
analysis part of G +1 and 2 structures.

ISSUES
1. To study the ideology and important characteristics of
bamboo, as it significantly contributes to structural
soundness and durability of houses.
2. To explore and analyze methods of construction and
techniques using bamboo for the construction of building
elements.
3. To study the use of bamboo in construction of temporary
structures.

CASESTUDY

1. Venugram , Wardha

BAMBOO

IN

BUILDINGS

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,
S E L E energy
C T I Oefficient
N O Fand
B cost
A Meffective.
BOO 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.

BAMBOO SIZES
Bamboo sizes are generally specified by minimum
diameter, wall thickness, and length.
For the type of construction covered,
Column 80-100mm dia
Wall thickness 1012mm dia
Bamboo strips for infill
panels 18-20mm wide, 810mm thick

BAMBOO: A

BUILDING SYSTEM

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.

BAMBOO

PROTECTION

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.
However, the durability of bamboo can be greatly
enhanced by appropriate specification and design, and by
safe and environment-friendly preservatives.
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.

CONSTRUCTION

SEQUENCE

BUILT-IN COLUMN / COLUMN ON STEEL SHOE

METHOD
2.
3.
1.

3a.

4.

5.

5a.

6.

6a.

CONSTRUCTION

SEQUENCE

BUILT-IN COLUMN / COLUMN ON STEEL SHOE

METHOD
8.
9.
7.

10.

11.

12.

AN OVERVIEW
STAGES
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.

mesh.
Cement
plaster
The grid
is covered
in is done on both sides of the grid to a
finished thickness of 50-60mm.
chicken

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, 80100mm 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 skewnailing 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.

CASESTUDY
VENUGRAM, SALOD DISTRICT, WARDHA
Venugram is a low-cost bamboo
based cluster housing project.
This is a step forward towards
the development of bamboo
composites for lightweight, costeffective, durable, aesthetic and
earthquake resistant structures using
bamboo. two
The demonstration
project
includes
units and 48 replicable units with
participation of local people.

AGENCY INVOLVED
Venugram is a combined effort of 1. National Mission on Bamboo Application, Delhi.
2. Aproop Nirman, Nagpur.
3. Sampoorna Bamboo Kendra, Amravati.
4. Acharya Shrimannarayan Polytechnic, Wardha.

WHY WARDHA?
Wardha is the centrally located city connected to
every part of India by road, rail and air.
Mahatma Gandhi stayed here and started his
movement for rural industrialization and rural development.
Therefore, Wardha is a suitable place for technology
demonstration and its application for poor people.

DWELLING

UNIT

Sampoorna Bamboo Kendra

with National Mission on Bamboo
Application along with technical
experts decided to undertake
quantitative, qualitative and safe
construction project to demonstrate
engineering use of construction.
The project includes two
demonstration units and 48
replicable units with participation of
local people.

A single dwelling unit

at Venugram

DWELLING

UNIT

Dwelling unit consists

of:
Multipurpose Hall (2.75 x
4.30)m
Kitchen (2.75 x 1.825)m
Verandah (3.00 x
2.375)m
Plinth area of a single
dwelling is 31sq.m
excluding toilet unit. Plinth
area of a toilet unit is
2.9sq.m.
Design and planning of
a dwelling is finalized
considering needs of
villagers and rural situation.

Plan at Plinth level

FABRICATION OF STRUCTURAL ME
All structural members like columns, beams, trusses,
MBERS

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 ME
M
BERS
COLUMNS
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 pre-fabricated 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.

TRUSS

Detail at B
(Elevation)

Truss details

Detail at A (Plan)
Detail at B (Top view)

Detail of Gusset plate at C

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
Bamboo
composite wall
starts mat
at this level.
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

FABRICATION OF STRUCTURAL
M
E MAND
B E WINDOW
RS
DOOR
OPENINGS
Door openings of size (900x2100)mm
is provided at the entrance and backside of
the dwelling.
Window opening of size
(375x1800)mm, attached to the doorframe,
provided at entrance. 2 openings of
(600x1000)mm each in hall and kitchen are
provided with concrete block.
Door and window frames consist of
bamboo mat board 15mm thk. in 4 layers.
Bamboo Mat Board
The size of frame is (60x75x2100)mm.
door and window
To ensure safety, door and window
panels. Window panel
frames are fixed in brick columns
with M.S. bars
(230x230)mm.
Door and window panels consist of
12mm thk. BMB. Thickness of door panels is
30mm. Wooden batten of 10mm thickness
and 30mm width is provided at edge, which
provides sound base for fixing hinges and
Door and
window frames fixed in brick
ensure
safety.
columns

CONSTRUCTION

SEQUENCE

VENUGRAM DWELLLING
1.

2.

Brick masonry from surface of

bed concrete up to ground
level 300mm and from ground
level up to plinth level 350mm
is provided in cement mortar
1:6.
3.

Erection of
prefabricated bamboo
columns concrete
pedestal

4.

Bamboo
column with
cap

Brick work up to
plinth 0.83m

CONSTRUCTION

SEQUENCE

VENUGRAM DWELLLING
6.
5.

Fixing
prefabricated
beams over
8.
columns

Placing and
fixing BMCS on
purlins

7.

Fixing prefabricated
trusses on
prefabricated
columns and
9.
beams.

Providing bamboo
mat composite
wall

Purlins are placed

over prefabricated
trusses to support
BMCS.
10.

Bamboo
columns are
covered

CONSTRUCTION

SEQUENCE

VENUGRAM DWELLLING
11.

12.

13.

Applying chicken
mesh

Applying cement
plaster over
bamboo mat

14.

15.

Providing door panel

with necessary
accessories

Fixing 6mm thk.

BMB and bamboo
jali at gable end

Complete dwelling
unit

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 renewable resource with a short rotation
ENVIRONMENTAL
IMPACT
period and can 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

GBamboo lacks natural durability which contributes to the

view of bamboo as a temporary material.

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.
Bamboo cannot span very large structures and high rise
buildings cannot be made from it.
Bamboo Mat Corrugated Sheets absorbs moisture more
as compared with asbestos and plastic corrugated sheets.
This may influence its durability in external utilization.

RECOMMENDATIONS
To avoid direct contact of bamboo with
concrete, bamboo column can be fixed in steel
sockets of large diameter than the diameter of
bamboo with nut and bolt arrangement.
This steel socket can be embedded in
concrete and gap between bamboo and steel
socket can be filled with flexible material like
mixture of tar, sand and gravel.
Bamboo Mat Corrugated Sheets used
should be coated with waterproof and fire
resistant coating. As color of BMCS and coat
may fade in due course when it is exposed to
atmospheric conditions.
Hence, a suitable oil paint should be applied over
BMCS for longer life.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Plan
Elevation
Half split bamboos can be
closely spaced and tied over two
half split horizontal supports and
partition out of bamboo can be
easily erected.
Bamboo mat partition also facilitates the
provision of light and ventilation.
This method can also be used for
cladding of walls, ceiling, columns and as a
decorative element in interiors. This method can
also be used for false ceiling.

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

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bamboo The gift of the Gods

By Oscar Hindalgo Lopez

National Mission on Bamboo Application, Delhi

- The Bamboo book (Training manual)
- Building with Bamboo (Training manual)

Venugram (Technical manual)

Internet