INNOVATIVE PRE-FABRICATED CONNECTORS FOR BAMBOO ARCHITECTURE

Bamboo is the natural construction material that has become the trend for the sustainable architecture, due to its renewability. Bamboo connections are considered the most difficult process that consumes construction time. This study is the design experiment how innovative connections can expedite the fabrication and their performance. The study deals with the design of connection prototypes for bamboo framing and tests their performance in actual construction. Connectors are designed into the receivers and the nozzles. Receivers act like the female connector. They are receptors at foundation to transfer loads to ground. The nozzles are the male connector that looks like an extruder attached to the end of structural members to connect to the receivers. Nozzles are offered in both a single culm and split bundles. The experiment also designed the straps for bamboo splits, to wrap the split together into one bundle. Steel connectors are introduced to initiate the bamboo construction as pre-fabrication process, yet the strength of connections is maintained. These prototypes are also applied to actual construction to verify the constructability, performance, and architectural applications. It is found that connectors are effective to minimize construction time, but still have other limitation. The study took lesson learned to design more permanent connectors to solve all restricted issues. Finally, innovative connectors were created into many variety forms for fabrication. They can also perform greatly in strength and attractive look. These findings can motivate architects to explore possibility for bamboo architecture in pre-fabrication process, and to be more innovatively and effectively.

BAMBOO CANOPY: TOWARDS A LIGHT CONSTRUCTION OF BAMBOO

ABSTRACT Despite the abundance of highly sustainable bamboo, people tend to overlook its structural performance for construction purposes. This paper therefore explores the potential of bamboo architecture to develop light-weight building systems and also to create an effect of lightness. Developed by a team at the School of Architecture of Southeast University, Bamboo Canopy is an outdoor stage canopy in Anji, China, that pushes the boundaries of bamboo as a material for building woven gridshell structure. The work is designed as a long-lifespan bamboo structure, with the design team and locals participating in its construction. Positioned on a public stage, Bamboo Canopy experiments with the combination of sustainable construction and local craftsmanship to produce a highly engaging architectural intervention that activates the existing place. With its wing-like form, it invites visitors to join the performance scene—as they approach the shell, the structure reveals itself—with a 12.4-metre span and 6-metre roof overhang, the canopy covers more than 150 square metres with only 1.2 square metres touching the ground. Through analysing the form, structure and details of this experimental project, this paper clarifies not only the potentiality but also the feasibilities in using bamboo for light construction.

Research on the Applicability of Low-tech Bamboo Architecture in New Rural Construction

Bamboo resources are abundant in China, and low-tech bamboo structures are used to maximize the sustainable development of new rural construction. This paper will deeply explore, study and analyze the issue of low-tech bamboo construction, then further analyze its applicability in new rural construction, and ultimately find a feasible plan about bamboo construction, so as to take effective measures to combine new rural construction and green science and technology.