A wooden connector for bamboo structures

[Marco Fabiani]

Our research have dealt with mechanical properties of bamboo growing in Italy. Two species have been analysed, namely Phyllostachys edulis and Phyllostachys viridiglaucescens, following the ISO rules of structural bamboo.
Furthermore, a connector (joint) for bamboo structures has been developed and tested to evaluate its effectiveness. This connector is realized by wood parts and screws and it is appropriate for constructing trusses and space frames. The use of the screws to connect wood and bamboo is due to two main aspects. First, the screws are easy to use and no particular skill is needed. Second, no splitting arises along the culm since a preliminary drilling is needed to introduce the screw.
The scope of tests is to define the strength of connector under compressive and tensile stress.
We are ready to listen to your comments and to your suggestions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KG04gJ3mU4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7lwwDnMF7Y

ing. Marco Fabiani, PhD

[Andry Widyowijatnoko]

Dear Marco,

I saw the video and it looks good. I have completed my doctoral degree in
RWTH Aachen Germany with the dissertation 'Traditional and Innovative
Joints in Bamboo Construction'. The book is available at Amazon.de.
According to my classification of bamboo joint, your joint can be
classified into Group 4A - Transferring force through bearing stress and
shear to the bamboo wall from perpendicular element connected from inside.
If the friction between inner surface of bamboo wall with timber plug is
taken into account, then it fits with the principle of Group 2 -
Transferring force through friction on the inner surface. There are some
joints using the same principles. Wooden core connection by Arce (1993)
and Inoue (2004) uses also timber plug, though it is connected with glue
only (Group 2). Morisco (1993) used timber plug or concrete injection to
connect bamboo with gusset plate and tightened with bolts. Obermann (2004)
developed the joint for bamboo space frame using the same principle,
though the timber was replaced by steel tube.

I do agree with you that this kind of joint provide practicality and easy
to do. To increase compressive strength, I suggest you to extend the
diameter of the wooden plug directly after the part that is inserted into
the bamboo cavity, so there will be force transfer between the full cross
section of the bamboo wall to the timber connector (principle of Group 1).

Congratulation for the good research and result! Looking forward to your
other research on bamboo joint.

best regards,
andry

--
Dr.-Ing. Andry Widyowijatnoko, ST., MT., IAI
Building Technology Research Group
School of Architecture, Planning and Policy Development
Institut Teknologi Bandung
Indonesia

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