Plugin console |
Plugin connections: Carpenterlike
connections with mortise and tenon are seldom used in
bamboo structures. On the other hand plugin elements like
bolts or consoles you find very often. Additional lashing
or wedging keeps things in place.
A disadvantage of these connections is
that you donīt use the whole diameter for power
transmission. Also you must pay attention that the holes
are not too close to the end of the canes. Otherwise the
plug may break out.
The use of nails may split the
bamboo particular old and dry canes. Pre-drilling is a
method to prevent splitting. There are two bamboo species
which can be nailed: Guadua angustifolia and Chusquea.
|
Bolt structure |
Plugin connection: This is a type of
connection for greater diameters with a hardwood bolt and
wedge. Five holes, the bolt and the wegde - a more
extravagant connection. If the bolt is conical, the
connection is save in all directions.
|
Connection with inner plug |
Connection with inner plug and a
horizontal drill-hole to fix the connection with a
lashing tie. If the lashing is tight and the plug fits
quite good into the opening, both plug and lashing can do
the power transition. But even if not, this connecting
method can be very durable at less force. The inner plug
prevents the beam from slipping down the post and the
lashing is against unplugging.
|
Rope connection fixed with bolt |
Rope connection fixed with bolt. The
bolt keeps the conncetion in place even if the rope or
cord lenghtens .
|
Complicate joint |
Joint with two connections. Again a
combination of bolts and lashing to connect the canes.
|
Interlocking connection with wedge |
Interlocking connection with a wedge.
With the wedge driven into the opening, the strips of the
horizontal beam are pressed into the hole and fix the
beam. If the wegde shrinks, the beam can be easily pulled
out of the opening. So additional arrangements like
lashing or bolts are necessary for a save connection.
|
Connection with steel clamp |
Connection with a steel tension clamp.
Leaving the low-tech sector, with the use of steel
elements a lot more connections become possible. Avoid
connections which produce great forces vertical to the
cane axis. They can destroy the bamboo cane.
|
Connection with steel tube and bolts |
Modern connection by Shoei Yoh in 1989.
For his bamboo roofs in Fukuoka, Shoei Yoh used a steel
tube put into the bamboo and which is connected to the
cane with bolts. The steel tube is strong enough to
withstand the pressure of the tightened bolts. In
addition there are two bolts in vertikal direction. For
the connection to the knot a steel bar is welded into the
tube and again it is screwed to the knot. Because of the
numerous bolts the connection is also suitable for
greater loads. The result is a very technical but
strangely overstyled looking connection.
|
Connection with steel wire |
Modern connection by Renzo Piano Building
Workshop in 1997. The canes are connected to a
special designed steel element via binding wire. Instead
of a bolt driven through bar and cane, a wire is tied
through the holes and tied around the bamboo. A fine
artwork but because of the fine wire seemingly only for
small forces.
|