Bamboo as a housing material

Janssen J.J.A., . (2000) Bamboo as a housing material. [Proceedings Paper]

Bamboo has been a valuable material for housing for centuries. The tradition shows many good examples how people could solve their own need for housing and other type of building. Unfortunately also many examples can be seen of short durability lack of resistance to disasters etc. Here results of applied scientific research and good engineering practice can improve the use of bamboo towards a proper engineering material with a status equal to recognised materials like steel concrete brickwork and timber. Local traditional knowledge is limited to the region of origin this knowledge cannot be transferred to a different region or climate. A knowledge based system as a decision support during the design process can improve this considerably. Standardisation of test methods can improve the level of testing in local laboratories and can allow the comparison of test results from all over the world. Next to such an international standard a manual with simple and clear explanations about how to do tests can be a great help for laboratory staff. For engineers and architects national building codes are lacking with respect to bamboo as a building material. An international model for national building codes might be helpful. The said documents will be treated in the paper as well as simple handbooks for field practitioners. Self help will remain very important in housing not only to save costs but also to be sure about the involvement of the future inhabitants. This self help can be supported with a balanced aid by prefabricated and industrialised housing systems. Evidently joints are the key problem but a considerable progress can be seen. In modern bamboo housing not only full bamboo culms are being used but also sawn or split bamboo strips and panels made of bamboo. Roofs mainly are supported by trusses in which field considerable development towards good engineering applications will be reported. Houses have to resistant against disasters like earthquakes and hurricanes. Applied scientific research has made good progress evaluation reports made after disasters give also guidelines for improvement. Emergency shelter or prefabricated or by self help is also an aspect of bamboo housing related to disasters. The paper will highlight the said items.

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Abstract

Bamboo has been a valuable material for housing for centuries. The tradition shows many good examples how people could solve their own need for housing and other type of building. Unfortunately also many examples can be seen of short durability lack of resistance to disasters etc. Here results of applied scientific research and good engineering practice can improve the use of bamboo towards a proper engineering material with a status equal to recognised materials like steel concrete brickwork and timber. Local traditional knowledge is limited to the region of origin this knowledge cannot be transferred to a different region or climate. A knowledge based system as a decision support during the design process can improve this considerably. Standardisation of test methods can improve the level of testing in local laboratories and can allow the comparison of test results from all over the world. Next to such an international standard a manual with simple and clear explanations about how to do tests can be a great help for laboratory staff. For engineers and architects national building codes are lacking with respect to bamboo as a building material. An international model for national building codes might be helpful. The said documents will be treated in the paper as well as simple handbooks for field practitioners. Self help will remain very important in housing not only to save costs but also to be sure about the involvement of the future inhabitants. This self help can be supported with a balanced aid by prefabricated and industrialised housing systems. Evidently joints are the key problem but a considerable progress can be seen. In modern bamboo housing not only full bamboo culms are being used but also sawn or split bamboo strips and panels made of bamboo. Roofs mainly are supported by trusses in which field considerable development towards good engineering applications will be reported. Houses have to resistant against disasters like earthquakes and hurricanes. Applied scientific research has made good progress evaluation reports made after disasters give also guidelines for improvement. Emergency shelter or prefabricated or by self help is also an aspect of bamboo housing related to disasters. The paper will highlight the said items.

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Item Type:	Proceedings Paper
Additional Information:	Summary only En
AGROVOC Term:	BAMBOOS
AGROVOC Term:	HOUSING
AGROVOC Term:	CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
AGROVOC Term:	BRICKS
AGROVOC Term:	CONCRETE
AGROVOC Term:	STEEL
AGROVOC Term:	RESEARCH
AGROVOC Term:	ENGINEERS
Geographical Term:	MALAYSIA
Depositing User:	Ms. Norfaezah Khomsan
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2025 05:27
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/16531

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