IITD-Trinity collaboration in bamboo
ADVANTAGES OF BAMBOO- Competitive strength to mass ratio.
- Drawback is susceptibility to termite attack.
- Suitable for treatment.
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SUMMARY
This project envisages the mass utilization of bamboo coupled with the knowledge of structural engineering to devise an affordable house suitable for both urban and rural needs. Every ton of concrete or steel produced is accompanied by several tons of carbon dioxide and other pollutants released into the atmosphere. With the depletion of forests, timber is no longer a candidate building material. Bamboo, on the other hand, has could be a viable material for construction. It is one of the fastest growing grasses and grows to mature level within four years (against several decades in the case of structural timber). It offers competitive performance as compared to concrete and steel in terms of strength to weight ratio. Dr. Bhalla's team has developed the design and elemental characterization of a six metre diameter dismountable eco-friendly multipurpose geodesic dome and the pre-engineered rural cowshed. Available principles of structural engineering design for conventional materials (steel/ concrete) have been suitably adapted for the design using bamboo. In addition, high capacity composite flexural and compression members have also been fabricated using the concept of FRBC, developed as part of Er Bhagat’s doctoral thesis, with a plane frame already tested at Trinity College, Dublin, Irelend, in collaboration with Prof. Roger West. The project specifically aims to take these technologies tofield in the form of definitive product and related technologies.
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