Introduction To Bamboo Furniture Construction

Introduction to Bamboo Furniture
Construction
Bamboo furniture can withstand everyday use. Bamboo furniture won’t
swell or shrink due to atmospheric changes. For this reason, outdoor furniture
made from bamboo withstands the change from humid to dry air and changes in
temperature. Bamboo features a fine grain that adds beauty and elegance to any
piece of furniture and is available in a wide variety of stains and finishes.
Bamboo is also used in commercial places such as hotels, offices, and
recreational areas.
The global bamboo furniture market size was valued at USD 10.09
billion in 2018 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 5.2% from 2019 to 2025.
The growth is primarily attributed to rising investments in infrastructure
developments coupled with the use of sustainable raw materials for furniture.
The market is majorly driven by the rise in residential application. Along with
offering aesthetic appeal to interiors, bamboo is gaining significant acceptance as
a wood substitute due to its mechanical strength, durability, and easy availability.
Rising environmental awareness among wood processing companies is
anticipated to drive the adoption of bamboos as a sustainable building material.
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agenda
Design principles for bamboo furniture
Key Design Principles
1. Aesthetic Considerations:
 Embrace the natural look of 3. Structural Integrity:
bamboo.  Design for stability and strength.
 Use the natural shape and form of  Use the natural strength of bamboo
bamboo poles in design. in load-bearing components.
 Highlight the grain and texture. 4. Joinery and Assembly:
2. Functional Design:  Plan for simple, strong joints.
 Ensure ergonomic comfort.  Allow for bamboo's natural
 Balance aesthetics with movement and expansion.
practicality. 4
Basic Principles and Techniques
 Do not use green, fresh cut bamboo. Bamboo has to be completely dry before
using it in construction (preferable air dried). During the drying process the
bamboo diameter shrinks, so when bamboo is used in joinery this will result in
lose and weak joints after a few weeks.
 Do not use bamboo when it is less then 3 years of age. Only use mature bamboo
of 4-6 years.
 Do not use bamboo infected by insects (powder beetle for example). Bamboo
has to be properly cured with a boron mix immediately after harvesting.
 Do not use bamboo that has flourished. Rest assured bamboo only flourishes
once in a lifetime (60-120 years).
 Do not use bamboo poles with profound vertical cracks.
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Basic Principles and Techniques
 Use appropriate cuts and joints when building with bamboo.
 Use bamboo with the right diameter and wall thickness for your project.
 Do not use conventional wood nails in bamboo joinery, they will cause the
bamboo to split. Instead use nylon, steel or vegetal cord of the appropriate
diameter.
 When using bamboo as a column make sure that the lower part connecting with
the surface ends with a node. If not the bamboo will splinter when struck (for
example to position the column).
 When connecting bamboo poles with bolts,
make sure to bolt them together in between 2
nodes, otherwise the bamboo may crush.
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Bamboo Has Nodes, Use Them!
In construction, using bamboo nodes is
very important. Bamboo columns or
beams need to have a node at both ends
(or as close as possible towards the
ends), if not the pressure of a structure
on the joint may crush the bamboo.
Often it isn't possible to find bamboo of

the required length with both end nodes
in place. When this occurs you should
insert a wooden cylinder of the
appropriate diameter or a fitting piece of
bamboo with a node.
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Bamboo Cuts
one ear two ear beveled flute mouth fish mouth
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As you can see in the illustration below, making basic cuts in bamboo doesn't require
expensive or heavy power tools, just a few traditional hand tools will work fine.
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Bamboo Joinery
Techniques
Making good and aesthetically pleasing bamboo joints
is rather complicated because bamboo is hollow,
tapered, has nodes at varying distances, and it is not
perfectly circular. It is important to keep all these
constraints in mind when designing a bamboo joint.
Many traditional joinery techniques suffer from
weakness or deformation, where the strength of the
bamboo culm itself is lost.
Joining horizontal with vertical elements
1. Joint with one or two ears. Is used to join bamboo rafters, logs or lumber.
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Joining horizontal with vertical elements
2. Flap joint. Is used when there is no lashing 3. Fish mouth joint.

wire available. The flap can be secured with
bamboo strips.
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Use of dowels and anchors in bamboo joinery
1. Joining bamboo with dowels and

lashing. The peg should be placed in the
column parallel to the rafter.
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2. Fish mouth joint with pegs.
3. Bamboo joint with wooden anchor. Is also

used inverted.
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4. Bamboo joint with metal anchor. This technique Is used in various positions.
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Joining and fixation of bamboo poles
Cross joint with dowel. Lateral joint with Corner joint.

dowel. 18
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Introduction To Bamboo Furniture Construction

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Introduction to Bamboo Furniture

Often it isn't possible to find bamboo of

one ear two ear beveled flute mouth fish mouth

2. Flap joint. Is used when there is no lashing 3. Fish mouth joint.

1. Joining bamboo with dowels and

2. Fish mouth joint with pegs.

3. Bamboo joint with wooden anchor. Is also

Cross joint with dowel. Lateral joint with Corner joint.

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