International Journal of Innovative Technology and Exploring Engineering (IJITEE)

ISSN: 2278-3075, Volume-2, Issue-6, May 2013

Alternative Walling System for Low Cost Housing

by Using Bamboo
Sushil G. Nikam A.C. Attar

Abstract- The use of bamboo as a structural construction Bamboo reaches its full growth in just a few months and
material is gaining traction primarily because it is a reaches its maximum mechanical strength in just few years.
rapidly growing material and thus sustainable, and it has Its abundance in tropical and subtropical regions makes it an
many positive engineering attributes such as its high economically advantageous material. Some of the positive
strength and Durability. This work takes into consideration aspects such as a lightweight design, better flexibility, and
the alternate construction material for walling system by toughness due to its thin walls with discretely distributed
using Bamboo . In this project the one type of bamboo- nodes and its great strength make it a good construction
based construction is examined and experimental results material.
are carried out, thus confirming that this type of The objectives of the present study are:
construction is a viable alternative for walling system for  Use of Bamboo as a construction material.
low cost housing.The goal of assessing bamboo’s potential  Study and development of alternative walling system
to meet regional housing needs in a low-cost, eco-friendly for lowcost housing by using Bamboo.
manner.This increased civil society awareness on
bamboo’s potential as a construction material II.GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT BAMBOO AND
ITS CHARACTERISTICS.
Keywords: bamboo, structure, construction, affordability,
A. Geographical Distribution
housing, materials.
Bamboo occurs in tropical, subtropical and temperate
regions of the world, wherever suitable ecological factor
I. INTRODUCTION
exist. Accordingly it is found in the belt extending from
The shortage of housing in developing countries motivates India to Japan (including Chin and South East Asia), in
the search for low cost materials that can be applied in the Africa and Australia, and in the region extending from
construction of affordable houses for poor people. Many Southern United States to Argentina and Chile. It is not
researchers have been studying the application of the locally found in colder temperate regions such as Canada, Europe
abundant natural materials as building materials such as mud and the U.S.S.R. Bamboo thrives in monsoon forests and
blocks, natural fibers reinforcing soil or cement etc. These prefers well-drained sites which are not waterlogged. It
materials and the traditional building techniques, which dwindles into under shrubs and grass in temperate regions.
almost have vanished after the wide implementation of the It occurs in a variety of soils which are neither too acidic nor
building industry, are the main focus of the researchers on too alkaline. No data appears to be available on the world-
non-conventional materials and techniques at the present wide production of bamboo. However, In India alone a total
time of environmental crisis, which our globe is facing. In area of 0.8 million hectares is estimated to be under
recent years the demand for structural wooden products for cultivation, yielding about 20 GN of bamboo annually·
building materials has increased with increasing B. Physical Properties Of Bamboo
construction of housing. On the other hand, the quantity and A.Specific Gravity:
quality of wood resources from the forest have been The specific gravity of bamboo increases with its age till
decreasing. Consequently, the search for substitute materials maturity, and depends also on the species and the moisture
in place of the traditional uses of wood has been renewed by content. Also, the outer part of the bamboo is 'somewhat
Bamboo. In particular, is considered a promising alternate heavier than the inner part. The average specific gravity
material because of its fast growth rate, short rotation age, ranges from 0.3 to 0.8. The specific gravity of mature culms
and high strength. There is always need of low cost mass will be between 0.5 and 0.8.
housing schemes for people earthquake affected areas, B. Durability and resistance to fire:
emergency structures in different situations. With the aim to Bamboo is vulnerable to attack by insects such as borers and
utilize strength properties of bamboo in low cost housing termites, and rot fungus. Untreated bamboo in contact with
research project work is undertaken on Alternative walling ground has a maximum life of 2 years while bamboo under
system. cover and not in contact with ground may last from two to
five years.
Several techniques are available for the chemical
preservation of bamboo. However, one method which has
proved to be very effective is the ASCU method, whereby
bamboo could be protected for at least 20 years. This
Manuscript received May, 2013. method developed by the Forest Research Institute,
Dr. A.C. Attar, is working as professor in the department of civil
engineering, Rajarambapu Institute of Technology , Sakharale, Shivaji Deharadun (India) bamboo is treated with a solution of
University Kolhapur, India. arsenic pent- oxide, copper sulphate, and sodium
Mr.Sushil G. Nikam, M.E. student in the department of civil dichromate. Not much work has been done on the fire
engineering , Rajarambapu Institute of Technology, Sakharale,Shivaji protection of bamboo. A reasonably cheap fire resistant
University Kolhapur, India.

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 Alternative Walling System for Low Cost Housing by Using Bamboo

composition comprises ammonium phosphate, boric acid, can tolerate high values of deformations in the elastic range
copper sulphate, zinc chloride and sodium dichromate. i.e. possesses high elasticity. Therefore bamboo houses
C. Engineering Properties: - when properly constructed are ductile i.e. being able to sway
i Factors Influencing Strength: back and forth during an earthquake, without any damage to
The strength of bamboo has been investigated by several the bamboo wall panel.
research workers around the world. It is influenced by C. Checklist for obtaining construction quality bamboo .
various factors, such as the species, soil and climatic
conditions, harvesting, age ,moisture content in the samples, 1. Depending on the species, 3 to 5 year old bamboo is best
location of the sample with respect to the length of culm, for construction purposes.
presence or absence of nodes in the test specimen and decay, 2. The bamboo should be harvested in dry season in order
if any. For any given species, bamboo harvested at an early to avoid fungus attack and excess pole moisture.
age possesses lower strength and modulus than bamboo 3. Use the appropriate species for the particular application.
harvested after reaching maturity. (3 to 6 years). In general, 4. Do not expose the bamboo to direct sun, moisture and
the strength of bamboo is less at the nodes than in the rain.
internodes; it .also decreases somewhat from the basal to 5. Use only straight portions from the bamboo culms for
distal end of the culm. construction.
ii Behavior in compression: 6. Bamboo should be treated against insects and fungus.
Bamboo possesses significantly lower strength in D. Making of Wall Panel
compression that in tension. Compressive ranging from 29 1. Select the bamboo as per the checklist , the approximate
N/mm square to 88.7 N/mm square has been reported. The length of single rounded bamboo 25 to 30 ft.
stress-strain behavior of bamboo in compression slightly 2. Remove the bottom and topmost part of bamboo as it is
non-linear. The initial modulus of elasticity is of the order of not useful because it is solid in nature.
4.6 KN/mm square to 19.4 KN/mm square. The strength and 3. Cut the rounded bamboo in required height of wall panel
the modulus of elasticity decrease with increasing moisture i.e.10 to12 ft.
content. The strain at failure has been reported to vary from 4. Split the bamboo vertically in to two parts
3.2x10 -3 units to 12x10-3 units. 5. By using wooden batten prepare a frame of required size
of wall panel .
III. DEVELOPMENT OF BAMBOO WALL PANELS 6. Fix the splited bamboo vertically on both sides of frame
by using nails.
A. Introduction
Bamboo is available in commercial quantities using the
established supply system. It is a renewable plant with a
short rotation period. Bamboo grows to its full size for about
a year. Another two or three years are required for the plant
to gain its high strength. Bamboo can be grown even on
degraded land. Construction materials from bamboo should
be treated in order to achieve longevity. The use of high
energy materials, like cement or steel, is minimised.
Therefore the adoption of bamboo for house construction
helps preserve the environment.
B. Material Required for Bamboo Wall Panel
The construction materials for building a bamboo house
should be readily available and accessible. The bamboo
based house has a very low weight therefore foundations can Fig.1-Bamboo wall panel
be minimized. Basic materials for house components
(bamboo, nails, wooden batten) are inexpensive. Bamboo
IV. COMPRESSION TEST ON WALL PANEL
Test is carried out on the universal testing machine.
A. Sample Details-
Test Type - Compression
Material - Wood (Bamboo)
B. Test Parameters-
Width - 300 mm,
Thickness - 65 mm,
C/S Area - 19500. 00 mm2
i. Sample No 1
Table 1- Load Displacement Table - Fig- 1 Load Vs Displacement
Sr. No Load (KN) Displacement (mm) Fmax – 17.9 KN
Displacement at F max – 8.4 mm
1 17.9 8.4
iii. Sample No 2
Sr.No Load (KN) Displacement (mm)

1 15.64 7

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 International Journal of Innovative Technology and Exploring Engineering (IJITEE)
ISSN: 2278-3075, Volume-2, Issue-6, May 2013

Fig- 2 Load Vs Displacement

F max – 15.64 KN
Displacement at F max – 7 mm
ii. Sample No 3 Fig- 6 Open Rroof 3- D VIEW
Table 2- Load Displacement Table -
Sr. No Load (KN) Displacement (mm)

1 14.44 8.4 mm

V. PLANNING AND LAYOUT

The planning of the proposed housing as well as the layout
of structural members are presented below.

Fig- 7 ELEVATION

Fig- 4 Top View

Fig- 8 Complete Picture of Bamboo house.

Fig- 5 Side View

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 Alternative Walling System for Low Cost Housing by Using Bamboo

VI. ESTIMATE SHEET FOR BAMBOO HOUSE 10 FT X 10 FT

Eave Height = 7'6" Ridge Height = 10'6"

Sr. Item Description of Material Quantity Length Unit Total length price Total
No per piece of Pieces (ft) per foot (INR)
of
bamboo

1 along Right End Wall Panel 100 No. 9.0 ft 900 3 2,250
width W = 10 ' Avg. Ht. = 9'
(Full Round Bamboo)

2 along Left End Wall Panel W 100 No. 9.0 ft 900 3 2,250
width = 10 ' Avg. Ht. = 9'
(Full Round Bamboo)

3 along Side Wall Panel L = 100 No. 7.5 ft 751 3 1,878

Length 10 ' Avg. Ht. = 7'6"
(Full Round Bamboo)

4 along Side Wall Panel L = 100 No. 7.5 ft 751 3 1,878

Length 10 ' Avg. Ht. = 7'6"
(Full Round Bamboo)

5 Nails 8 No. 1 kg 8 50 400

6 Wooden Props 5 No. 1 no. 5 140 700
7 For 4 Wooden Batten For wall 280 No. 0.015625 Cu. ft 4.375 450 1968.75
wall panel ; 4 Nos.(size: 70'
panel X 0.125' X 0.125' )

Roof
1 At roof Bamboo Mat (7,6" x 2 - - - 130 260
15')
2 purlins Full Round Bamboo 10 15.0 ft 150 4 600

3 plastic paper at roof 250 1 Sq ft 250 2.25 562.5

4 grass panel (7,6" x 15') 2 - - 500 1000

5 varnish 4 1 lit 4 70 280

Treatment
1 Chemic Boric Acid 3 1 kg 3 120 360
al
2 Borax 3 1 kg 3 150 450

Labour Charges 625 1 Sq.ft 625 10 6250

TOTAL= Rs. 21087/-

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 International Journal of Innovative Technology and Exploring Engineering (IJITEE)
ISSN: 2278-3075, Volume-2, Issue-6, May 2013

VII. CONCLUSION

1. In nations such as India, bamboo is a well established

building component but generally seems quite poorly
implemented.
2. Bamboo has known qualities and an established
reputation of being a wonder building material (eco
friendly, regenerative, low cost etc.)
3. From detailed estimation it is found that per square
meter cost of bamboo house is one fourth of the R.C.
construction.
4. For buckling test of bamboo wall panel the average load
carrying capacity is 15.99 KN and aveage max.
displacement is 7.99 mm.
5. With the help of simple techniques any member of
society could purchase bamboo cheaply and instantly
improve their living conditions and immediate
environment.

REFERENCES
[1] Chung, K.F., Chan, S.L. (2003), “Design of Bamboo Scaffolds”,
INBAR Technical Report No.23, The Hong Kong Polytechnic
University, China.
[2] Grewal, J., (2009), "Bamboo Housing in Pabal", EWB-UK Research
Conference 2009 at the RAEng. London, February 2009.
[3] Liang, C.B. (2009), "Bamboo as a permanent Structural Component",
Imperial College London, April 2009 (BEng Final Year Project
Dissertation)
[4] Bambus- RWTH Aachen. Public report: Construction with Bamboo:
Modern Bamboo Architecture”.2002.

Dr. A.C. Attar, is working as professor in the

department of civil engineering, Rajarambapu Institute
of Technology , Sakharale, Shivaji University
Kolhapur.

Mr.Sushil G. Nikam, M.E. student in the department of

civil engineering , Rajarambapu Institute of Technology,
Sakharale,Shivaji University Kolhapur.

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