Evaluation Framework for Sustainable, Innovative, Low-Cost Building Prototypes with Bamboo - with Case Studies in Brazil

Nowadays, bamboo is increasingly applied as a bio-based construction material for it provides several answers to problems the world and the construction industry are facing today: low carbon pollution (even uptake), low embodied energy, low-cost, earthquake proof and a widespread availability (predominantly in tropical countries) without risk for deforestation. In addition to the research that has been done on the mechanical properties and engineering aspects of bamboo, this research focusses on the architectural aspect of bamboo by establishing a framework to evaluate future bamboo buildings. Through an in-depth analysis of real cases executed by the author in Brazil compared to existing literature research, a holistic framework could be deployed going well beyond the main elements on bamboo that are drawn up in building codes and standards such as the Columbian NSR-10 or the ISO guidelines. This dissertation is divided in three parts. The first part discusses the bamboo designs and buildings made by the researcher in the past fifteen years to expose their failures as well as their successes to aid designers/architects to elevate the quality of their bamboo projects in order to broaden the acceptance of bamboo as a construction material in general. Additionally, a durability analysis was performed on the community centre after 12 years being built which provides interesting insights in the deterioration process of bamboo. Multiple factors can accelerate the deterioration of a bamboo construction, such as insect attacks, weathering conditions, humidity and ventilation, that are impossible to replicate in a controlled laboratory setting. As bamboo is a bio-based material, these aspects of relevance should be well-considered in advance. The second part consists of literature research in order to provide comprehensive information on the application of bamboo as a construction material. The research is based upon three pillars; Utilitas (performance), Firmitas (stability) and Venustas (aesthetics). Since Vitruvius, and most likely even before, architecture has been evaluated based on these three aspects. Nowadays, also the so-called "3 P's": ´people, planet and profit' that outline the ecologic, economic and social aspects of a project are also of great importance. In order to obtain a valuable project, it is not sufficient for it to be strong and beautiful, it also has to be socially beneficial, resource and energy efficient and economically relevant and justifiable. Therefore, the original meaning of Vitruvius's elements has been widened including these performing aspects as well. Discussing the practicalities of the case studies as well as the literature on bamboo leads to the third part of the dissertation; the development of an understandable evaluation framework that allows for the assessment of existing bamboo buildings which also serves as a tool to aid designers/architects to holistically determine the quality of new bamboo designs. This framework aims to provide the designer/architect a great usability and functionality for only then he/she will be inclined to applicate it. The excel sheet of the evaluation module will be published in a paper and also distributed on simple request.

Publication year:2021

Accessibility:Open