HALVED BAMBOO ROOF

The halved bamboo roof is made up of freshly harvested bamboo poles split into two halves and placed in an
interlocking sequence similar to a Spanish tile roofing technique. For a well-designed bamboo building using
halved bamboo, the roof needs a minimum roof pitch of 40 degrees and the rafters should not be placed
further than 60 cm apart from one another. Finally, the roof ridge should be covered properly.

To make your bamboo building last longer, you can also use 3 layers, the
first layer woven bamboo mats locally known as bedeg over the rafters
for interior aesthetics, then asphalt linear and cladding of half bamboo
as a final layer. This roof works with slightly curvilinear and small
structures, but it is hard to use this technique for large and complicated
curved roofs. We use Gigantochloa apus poles for this roofing and
Dendrocalamus asper to cover the roof ridge.
This roofing system also requires high maintenance and needs to be
replaced every 5 years. The bamboo degrades quickly if it is exposed to moisture or organic matter. 

FLATTENED BAMBOO ROOF

Pelupuh is handwrought flattened bamboo made into roofing shingles and it is made by cutting
a Gigantochloa apus bamboo pole in half lengthwise. Then a cut is made into the culm wall from the
inside out using a hatchet. The cuts do not pierce through the entire culm wall, just enough so that the
section of the culm is flattened out. The cuts should be made at an angle to prevent splitting in the
structure of the bamboo. The nodes are then shaved off using a bamboo knife or hatchet. We use this
processed bamboo material in a 3 layered hybrid roofing technique where we first place
treated pelupuh over the rafters for interior aesthetics, then an asphalt linear (synthetic waterproofing
membrane) and pelupuh which is cut to size as roofing shingles as a final layer. All layers are attached
using a nail gun.
Advantages
1. Tensile strength: Bamboo has higher tensile strength than steel because its fibers run axially.
2. Fire Resistance: Capability of bamboo to resist fire is very high and it can withstand temperature up to
4000 C. This is due to the presence of high value of silicate acid and water.
3. Elasticity: Bamboo is widely preferred in earthquake prone regions due to its elastic features.
4. Weight of bamboo: Bamboos due to their low weight are easily displaced or installed making it very
easier for transportation and construction.

Disadvantages
1. They require preservation
2. Shrinkage: Bamboo shrinks much greater than any other type of timber especially when it loses water.
3. Durability: Bamboo should be sufficiently treated against insect or fungus attack before being utilized
for building purposes.
4. Jointing: Despite prevalence of various techniques of jointing, structural reliability of bamboo is
questionable.

THATCH ROOF
Alang-Alang roofs are a traditional thatch roofing technique used in Indonesia. The Congo grass (Imperata
cylindrical) is harvested when mature and dried. Then, thatch panels of a maximum of 3 meters in length are
made by folding the dry grass over a bamboo split and threading it onto the split using palm fiber. The bamboo
split gives structure to the grass turning it into a panel whilst also acting as a roofing batten. When installed the
alang alang panels are tied to the rafters using a lashing technique with bamboo rope.   
For a well-designed bamboo building that uses an alang alang roof, the roof pitch should be around 45 degrees
for water to run off and we recommend that the rafters are installed no further than 60 cm apart to keep the
roof from sagging. Alang alang roofs are flexible and complement curvilinear roofs well. Thermal insulation is
the most attractive benefit of this roof type. It has an incredible ability to breathe, and release warm air whils
keeping the air cool inside.
Advantages
1. Environmentally friendly. One of the most environmentally friendly roofing materials
available is thatch. Thatch reed is grown and harvested without machinery and is usually
sourced from rural communities. This means the industry also creates jobs, which are
much-needed in South Africa, considering the high unemployment rate.
2. Excellent insulation. Thatched roofs provide excellent insulation, so your home will stay
warm when it's cold outside and cool during the hot summer months. In addition, this
superb insulation enables you to save on electricity for heating and cooling.
3. Durability. Thatched roofs are typically last longer and are very durable. With appropriate
maintenance, they can last up to 60 years or more. In addition to proper maintenance, the
length of time a thatched roof will last depends on the original materials used and the skill
and experience of the thatcher.
4. Ages well. Thatched roods age well and will shape into natural forms that add to their
charm. As it darkens with age, thatch tends to blend into the surrounding greenery.
5. Adds character. A thatched roof adds warmth and character to a property. Brick, steel and
glass can create a clinical atmosphere, which is softened by thatch to produce a welcoming
ambience.

Disadvantages
1. Expense. Installing a thatched roof is more labour intensive than other roofing
methods, so it is generally more expensive.
2. Fire hazard. Without the proper precautions, thatched roofs can be a fire hazard.
Fortunately, sophisticated and effective fire retardant processes are available. One
process is Micon Thatch which was developed in South Africa by the Council for
Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to be environmentally compatible. Micon
Thatch consists of a water-based solution of fire-retardant and intumescent chemicals
in a polymer emulsion binder that protects the thatch.
3. Decay. Because thatch is an organic material, it is susceptible to decay and
decomposition. This means you need to take precautions to minimise the possibility of
this process taking place. In warm, wet climates, in particular, thatch is prone to fungal
 attacks. The Micon Thatch product also improves compaction while allowing the thatch
to breathe, preventing rotting. It also retards bacterial growth and does not alter the
natural appearance of the thatch.
4. Maintenance is required. To keep a thatched roof at its best, regular maintenance is
needed. The maintenance cycle varies depending on the type of thatch material, roof
pitch, sun and shade, exposure to pollutants, and extreme weather.
5. Higher insurance costs. Due to the higher risk of fire damage, home insurance is
higher than houses with tiled, steel or aluminium roofs. However, most short-term
insurance companies do insure thatched properties, and installing significant fire
retardant measures should result in lower premiums.
6. Overhanging trees. Any overhanging trees close to the house must be cut back when
you have a thatched roof. Branch trimming should be done as the branches can cause
the thatch to dry out, increasing the risk of fire.
7. Animals can cause damage. Birds looking for food, gathering nest-making materials
or nesting in the roof itself becomes a greater possibility when the thatch is not
processed appropriately for its intended use. Rodents can also cause extensive damage.

FILLER SLAB ROOF

Filler slab is alternate slab construction technology where part of concrete in bottom of slab is
replaced by filler material. The basic principal is that the concrete in bottom half of RCC slab is
structurally not required as concrete acts as compression material which is required in top half portion
of slab. So this portion concrete is replaced by low cost, light weight  filler material like mangalore tile,
clay pots etc.

Once the shuttering is done, the reinforcements are laid in grid form. The size of grid depends on
structural design and size of filler material. For example, grid of 35cm X 50cm is used for magalore tile
as filler material and grid of 45cm X 45cm is used for clay pots of 40cm diameter filler. The filler
material to be soaked in water before casting so that it does not absorb water from concrete. Then the
slab is cast with cement concrete similar to traditional concrete slabs.

Advantages
1. STRENGTH: By different institutions and laboratories, conventional tests have proved the load-bearing
capacity of filler slabs and found it no less in performance. It does not collapse under the impact like a
coconut falling on the roof since filler roof tiles are firmly bonded and covered by concrete.
 2. LEAK PROOFING: Leaks can be avoided with proper supervision and workmanship, and the same as the
conventional RCC slab the chance of a leak in a filler slab is much.
3. SAVING ON COST: From 15 per cent to 25 per cent the savings on cost can be done and to determine
the spacing between the reinforcement bars, designing a filler slab requires a structural engineer.
4. THERMAL INSULATION: It gives an excellent thermal insulation layer due to the air pocket formed by
the contours of the tiles and taking into account the negative zones and reinforcement areas, the design
integrity of a filler slab involves careful planning for such slab.
5. PATTERNED CEILINGS: The filler material is left open without plastering to form aesthetic design
symmetry in most houses and provide aesthetically pleasing patterned ceilings but some residents
prefer to cover the space with plaster of Paris coating which also gives good and pleasing ceilings.

JACK ARCH ROOF

An alternative roofing technique that involves a series of small sized, elongated brick vaults that are supported
on intermediate beams. Metal formwork is placed between the beams and bricks are arranged on top of the
formwork to achieve a shallow vault. It is then plastered with cement or lime mortar and water proofed on top.
The formwork is eventually removed and the process is repeated to make the rest of the arches.

Jack arches are very economical, eco-friendly and offer unlimited strength. Nowadays their application has
considerably reduced due to the non-availability of skilled masons. However our passion for reviving beautiful
age old techniques ensures that we will not
let them be forgotten or become a thing of
the past!

Advantages

1. It can be constructed from

relatively small pieces of
material that can be handled
by individuals
2.  Arches are typically sawn
from an appropriately sized
fired clay lintel.
3. There is considerable scope
for incorporation of
decorative patterns and
elements into jack arches.

Disadvantages
 
1. Inability to transfer in-
plane axial loads
2. Concentration of stresses in brick arch under out-of-plane bending
3. Inability to transfer in-plane shear force
4. Inability to act as a diaphragm.