Bamboo is one of the materials used since ancient times by man to increase his comfort and well-being. In today’s world of plastic and steel, bamboo continues to make its centennial contribution and even grows in importance.

International technical cooperation programs have recognized the exceptional qualities of bamboo and are carrying out a wide exchange of varieties of bamboo and knowledge about their use. In six Latin American countries, projects are currently underway to test and select outstanding varieties of bamboo harvested worldwide, as well as to determine the potential location of such material in the local economy.

These projects, which are now part of the fourth-level technical cooperation program, have been underway for several years and some of them have reached a stage of development where the multiplicity of uses of bamboo has become a stimulating reality.

Features

• Special Properties: Lightweight, flexible; Large variety of constructions
• Economic aspects: Low cost
• Stability: Low to medium
• Training required: Traditional workmanship for bamboo
• Constructions Equipment required: Cutting and cutting
• Tools Bamboo Seismic resistance: Good
• Resistance to hurricanes: Low
• Resistance to rain: Low
• Resistance To insects: Low
• Climate suitability: Warm and humid climates
• Degree of experience: Traditional

Description

In regions where bamboo grows, the climate is generally warm and humid, which leads to the use of materials with low thermal storage capacity and designs that allow cross ventilation. Bamboo constructions fully meet these requirements, which explains their use in these areas.

Bamboo walls cannot be built to be chip-proof and airtight, so cross-ventilation occurs inherently, providing a pleasant and moisture-free environment.

Flexibility and high tensile strength make the bamboo wall highly resistant to earthquakes, and in case of collapse, its low weight causes less damage; Rebuilding is quick and easy.

Specialized labor is required to work the bamboo, but in areas where bamboo is growing, these are traditional.

The major disadvantages are due to their relative low durability (due to biological attacks), and low resistance to hurricanes and fire, so that protective measures are essential.

Bamboo houses

Single bamboo can be used to make parts of a house other than the fireplace. In most cases, however, bamboo is combined with other building materials such as wood, clay, lime, cement, galvanized iron, and palm leaves, according to their relative efficiency, availability and cost.

The use of bamboo as a building material, whether primary, secondary, or occasional is common in areas where adequate bamboo grows in sufficient quantity. The importance of bamboo in any given region is usually determined by the economic level of ordinary people by the post of other, more durable materials. Structural strength. Suited to the demands of local conditions, it is commonly achieved with bamboo, but usually a monotony in design and a mediocre level of performance characterize bamboo houses in many regions. In certain cultural areas, however bamboo is employed architecturally in ways that are distinctive and basically artistic.

The structural elements of the roof are fixed to the pole, and allow a properly built house to remain standing despite earthquakes and operations. The author has seen many houses in which the main post is a sturdy bamboo or where it adds character to a wooden post by overlaying it with bamboo. The bamboo has the following characteristics that make of it a suitable and economic material for the construction of the house as much as for the scaffolds that facilitate the construction: Characterizes the house as soon as the quality and construction are considered.

The structural elements of the roof are fixed to the pole, and allow a properly built house to remain standing despite earthquakes and operations. The author has seen many houses in which the main post is a sturdy bamboo or where it adds character to a wooden post by overlaying it with bamboo. The bamboo has the following characteristics that make of it a suitable and economic material for the construction of the house as much as for the scaffolds that facilitate the construction: Characterizes the house as soon as the quality and construction are considered.

The structural elements of the roof are fixed to the pole, and allow a properly built house to remain standing despite earthquakes and operations. The author has seen many houses in which the main post is a sturdy bamboo or where it adds character to a wooden post by overlaying it with bamboo. The bamboo has the following characteristics that make of it a suitable and economic material for the construction of the house as much as for the scaffolds that facilitate the construction.

The bamboo has the following characteristics that make of it a suitable and economic material for the construction of the house as much as for the scaffolds that facilitate the construction: The author has seen many houses in which the main post is a sturdy bamboo or where it adds character to a wooden post by overlaying it with bamboo. The bamboo has the following characteristics that make of it a suitable and economic material for the construction of the house as much as for the scaffolds that facilitate the construction:

1. The natural units, rods or bamboo canes as they are called, are of measures and forms that make them mineable, storable and system amiable, in a convenient and economical way.
2. The rods have a characteristic physical structure that gives them high resistance in relation to their weight. They are round or almost round in their cross section, usually hollow, and with rigid transverse partitions, strategically placed to avoid rupture when bending. Inside the concentrates on the outer surface. In this position they can act more efficiently, providing mechanical resistance and forming a firm and resistant shell. 3. The substance and texture of the reeds makes it easy to divide by hand into short pieces (sawing or cutting), or in narrow strips (splitting them). No expensive machines are needed, just simple tools. 4. The natural surface of many bamboos is clean, hard and smooth, with an attractive color, when the reeds have been conveniently stored and matured. 5. Bamboos have little waste and no bark to remove.

Foundations

Examples of the use of bamboo poles, instead of conventional foundation for economic houses, can be seen in both hemispheres. Unless treated with a chemical preservative, it is not expected that such poles will last for an average two or three years or five years, at most, under unfavorable conditions.

Although there is no experimental data, it seems reasonable to expect that durable classes of bamboo canes will last longer in the soil by applying pentachlorophenol in a suitable form. While studying suitable and economical treatments for the preservation of bamboo in conditions where it is frequently wetted or in contact with the wet soil, it is considered desirable to use for the foundations some material that is better than untreated bamboo,

For example, concrete, stone, brick, or some hardwood. If bamboo is used as a support in low-cost houses, the reeds should have a larger diameter, thick walls and closer knots, to provide maximum buckling resistance. When large pieces of bamboo cannot be obtained, it is convenient to employ small bamboos, with suitable structural features, moored and forming composite pillars.

Bamboo as a building material. With suitable structural characteristics, moored and forming composite pillars. Bamboo as a building material. With suitable structural characteristics, moored and forming composite pillars. Bamboo as a building material.