This document outlines a student project to construct a 1:5 scale model of a temporary bus shelter using skeletal bamboo construction. A group of five students chose a tetrahedron and triangular prism shape for the shelter's form due to triangles' inherent structural stability. Bamboo was selected as the primary material to demonstrate its viability for light construction applications. The document discusses the shelter's design analysis, precedent studies, design development process, construction considerations, joint designs, load transfer, and construction steps. Overall, the project aimed to prove that appropriately designed bamboo structures can serve as bus shelters or similar light construction needs.

1. BUILDING CONSTRUCTION 2 (BLD 60703/ARC 2513)
PROJECT 1: SKELETAL CONSTRUCTION - TEMPORARY BUS SHELTER
GROUP MEMBERS:
CHOO ZI ZHAO 0320498
MUHAMMAD ASHROFF 0325736
RAJAN KULANDAYA 0317164
WONG WAN JIUAN 0327173
MUHAMMAD ZAIM 0325930
TUTOR
MS SUJATAVANI GUNASAGARAN

2. TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 INTRODUCTION
2.0 DESIGN ANALYSIS
3.0 PRECEDENT STUDIES
4.0 DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
5.0 DESIGN CONSIDERATION
6.0 JOINTS AND CONNECTIONS
7.0 LOAD AND FORCE
8.0 CONSTRUCTION PROCESS
9.0 CONCLUSION
REFERENCE
APPENDIX

3. 1.0 Introduction
In this project, five of us chose Tetrahedron and Triangular Prism as our
skeletal form to construct our temporary bus shelter in a scale of 1:5.
Although Triangular form is the most stable construction form due to its
inherent structural characteristic, the consideration of using Bamboo in
our design becomes our most challenging decision. Compared to other
construction methods by using nuts and bolts for connections, we are
going to use traditional joints used in bamboo construction to connect
each of the primary and secondary supports, from the foundation to the
roof and some minor materials to enhance its strength, such as concrete
to hold the bamboo’s primary support.
Our decision is to prove Bamboo can be widely used in light construction
such as a bus shelter by replacing materials like wood and metal. By
utilising traditional bamboo joints, its structure also can be easily
dismantled.

4. 2.0 Design Analysis
There are two aspects our group looked into before constructing our temporary bus shelter:
1. Form of the bus shelter
2. Material (Focus on Bamboo)
2.1 Form
The reason of choosing Tetrahedron and Triangular Prism to design our bus shelter is based
on the triangle inherent structural characteristic in the form. Compare to square, the end points of
triangle can transfer high amount of forces due to its rigidness without deformation. So, triangles
often used as trusses in bridges or as others support structures in the building.
2.2 Material
Our group chooses Bamboo as our main material for our project to show that the shape and material can perform well together.
Due to Bamboo’s growth cycle, it can grow more than one metre in a single day, and it can reach its maximum height within the first six months. For
Bamboo to be used in construction, it needs 3 years to develop its strengths and five to six years to fully mature. Compare to normal trees’ growth,
Bamboo can be harvested faster and solve the shortage of some materials. Bamboo has its own advantages and disadvantages as follow:
Tetrahedron Triangular Prism
Advantages
 Bamboo is an extremely strong fibre
 Highly flexible
 Low-cost and environmentally friendly
 Light weight compared to steel
 Shock absorbing and thus earthquake resistant
 Bamboo can prevent pollution by absorbing large
amounts of nitrogen from waste water
 It also reduces the amount of CO2 in the air
Disadvantages
 Joining Techniques are limited however the development of more effective
methods Is still being researched
 Flammability Bamboo structures are not fire resistant and the cost of
treatment is high
 Bamboo has a round profile therefore connections are pretty complicated.
 Bamboo is hollow there is no material to tighten the middle to the cane
 Bamboo is not suitable for loads in cross direction because there are no
cross fibres
 Bamboo is a natural material that varies in diameter length and quality
according to the climate.
 The density of fibres in cross section of a bamboo shell varies with thickness
as well as in height so it is not constant
 Bamboo is more prone to insect attacks than other trees and grasses

5. Correct bamboo to use due
to brownish hue
3.0 Precedent Studies
We got some inspiration from a series of precedents
Bamboo Structure
1. Restaurant at Greenville, Jarkata, Indonesia- DSA+s
We admired the aesthetics of bamboo used and how the bamboo was standing on the
concrete foundation that came out from ground to prevent from water.
The usage of a wide and also high roof for allowing to wind flow freely through the
restaurant. The roof cover also made from bamboo, which is assembled with coupling
system. The system is used for preventing water dripping, and for protecting cracking
which usually happened when bamboo is being exposed directly to the sun.
2. Bamboo Bus Stop, Bombay, India – Indian Institute of Technology
The bus stand was built in a nearby village
We were inspired by the simple, functional and sturdy form, and how a zinc roof was implemented on the bamboo
rafter.
In our case we thought of replacing the zinc roof with a corrugated board to disperse sunlight and increase
brightness in the bus shelter.

6. 3. Bamboo Selection
 Bamboo used for construction should be a light brown hue. This ensures that the plant is at least
3 years old
 Avoid bamboo that’s cut in spring or early summer these batches are generally weaker due to
increased fibre moisture content
Foundation
Concrete Formula Applied & Concrete mix proportions
 Concrete ratio should be as low as workability will allow.
 Excess water causes swelling of the bamboo.
 High early strength cement is preferred to minimize cracks caused by swelling of bamboo
when seasoned bamboo cannot be waterproofed.
Waterproofing & Strengthening Bamboo
The bamboo trusses are first coated with 2 – 3 layers of rubber tree oil. The oil helps to protect the bamboo from moisture.
Bamboo has to be treated against insect attack these are to be soaked in a solution of borax and boric acid. Fifty grams of each chemical for every litre
of water. Soaking time typically takes 3 days.
another method can be used where the bamboo is soaked in an alum solution for 30 minutes to preserve them for 15 years.

7. Roof
In our model, we use PVC corrugated cardboard sheet to represent polycarbonate corrugated roofing.
The reasons for choosing this material is due to its many advantages:-
• Uv resistance
• High plasticity
• Light and heat resistance (Metallic Sunstop)
• Good thermal insulation
• Lightweight
• Fire resistance
• High degree of transparency
• Impact resistance and unbreakable
• Easy transportation
• Virtually Unbreakable
Code Structural(mm) Colour Thickness (+/-5%) Length
A Angular Corrugated
(5Grooves)
Brown, Clear,
Metallic
0.8mm, 0.10mm, 0.12, 18mm,
MS-1.0mm
18', 20'
MC Mid-Circular Corrugated
(9Grooves)
Brown, Clear 0.9mm
6', 7', 8', 10',
12', 20'
http://www.deskylight.com.my/product-polycarbonate
PVC Corrugated Board to
represent actual material

8. 4.0 Design Development
Initially we had planned to use a cylinder & a rectangular prism as our base forms
We collectively drew some sketches as well as made a few mock up models.
However, we found that it was going to be a tough process to apply bamboo into a cylindrical form structure as bamboo needs to be bent and curved at
times with special machinery
So instead we used more rigid forms such and a tetrahedron and a rectangular prism as they seem easier to work with
Another reason why we chose to work with bamboo is that we wanted to create a structure that is not only made out of sustainable materials but also a
structure that doesn’t depend on a lot of additional materials meaning a structure that depends solely on locking and interlocking joints.

9. Mock-up
model refined
Initial
scheme
Stage 1 Initial Form of Bus shelter identified some difficulties due to securing the 3 structures together
from shear weight plus too many unnecessary members
Stage 2 Reduced the number of structures down to 2. We found it easier to
work with however in terms of stability it was still pretty bad as well as for the
prevention of rainwater at the back of the structure. This structure was lacking proper space
for the seating as well.
Stage 3
Stability was reinforced after adding horizontal, slanted, benches on either ends of the structure
connected to a third main structure in the middle (which visually shows a division of each structure)
This is a unique feature we considered and reinforced stability greatly. Our final 1:5 scale structure is based on this design

10. 4.1 Technical Drawing and Terminology
Rafter
Sitting Area/ Bench
Batten
Timber Decking
PLAN
FRONT ELEVATION
White PVC Corrugated Board Roofing
Column
Concrete Foundation
Sitting Area/ Bench

11. White PVC Corrugated Board Roofing
Sitting Area/ Bench
Timber Decking
REAR ELEVATION
Batten
Column
Rafter
SIDE ELEVATION

12. 5.0 Design Consideration
There are a few requirements in the brief to build the temporary bus shelter:
1. Bus shelter should able to occupy 5 people
2. Weather Resistant
5.1 Occupancy of the Bus Shelter
5.2 Weather Resistant
We choose PVC Coruggated Board to represent Polycarbonate roofing. It is because this roofing
system can reduce sunlight and heat, and incresing the brightness inside the bus shelter. Besides, it
is easily to maintain and lightweight.
For the raining, we create 15 degree slope for our roofing slope and decrease the height of the roof to
2.2M. It can use as a stand to avoid the rain.
SUN

13. 6.0 Joints and Connections
Main Structure
Wedge Dowel Chord Bamboo
Roof & Foundation
L Plates Screw Plank

14. 6.1 Bamboo Cut and Joinery Techniques
Bamboo Cuts
Bamboo Joinery Techniques Use of Dowels and Wedges
Splicing Bamboo Pole
In this model, we were using sawing and drilling to make bamboo’s joineries.
Three different cut which are One Ear, Beveled and Flute Mouth were applied in the model.
Joining Two Ear with vertical elements,
which at the part of column and rafter.
Joining bamboo with dowel is to fix the position of the strcuture and also lashing around
it. Inserting wedge between the bamboos is to advoid movement while lashing.
To adding the length of the bamboo,
telescpoe splicing can be applied.

15. 6.2 Bamboo Lashing Techniques
We used the lashing techniques as follow:-
Drilled lashing Joint, Pegged lashing joint, Modern square lashing, Diagonal lashing and West country shear lashing

16. 7.0 Load and Force
Bamboos natural ability is having a tensile strength, to create a stable structure, in this category we look into its structure, we formed primary structure
and its secondary structure. For the primary structure, we put two bamboos together acting as a ‘Column’; secondary structure is identified basically
are rafter and batten, which are to support the roof; and also the bench, acts as the connection among the columns’ to transfer the loads.
7.1 Primary and Secondary Structures
PLAN REAR ELEVATION
FRONT ELEVATION SIDE ELEVATION
LEGEND
PRIMARY
SECONDARY

17. 7.2 Load Transfer
Legend
PLAN
SIDE ELEVATION FRONT ELEVATION

18. 8.0 Construction Process
1. Cutting bamboo to create joints
2. Inserting wedges / dowels and lashing
3. Form and connect primary and secondary structures

19. 4. Formed rafter and batten, with PVC corrugated board as roofing sheet
5. Concrete mixing to create foundation pad
6. Constructing timber decking

20. 7. Coat painting 8. Load testing
Then, we are DONE!!!

21. 9.0 Conclusion
Through all the time we spend to construct a Bamboo bus shelter, we realize mock up models and concept drawings are not really to be 100% followed
and assumed. So, to make our group’s bus shelter design’s structure workable, we have research on the connection techniques of the bamboo. From
the structure itself, we found that our bamboo bus shelter is very unique; we are not only using the traditional method to reduce the use of metal bolt
and nuts but also successfully attached seating area as a part of the support structure. However, during the model making, we also realize the quality
of bamboo has to be controlled, or else uneven diameter of the bamboo is affecting the level of the structure. The best part of this project for us in this
group was we finally built a model almost same as our concept design. And we prove, the forms and the material those we choose are able to sustain.

22. References
1. Appropriate Building Materials: a Catalogue of Potential Solutions, Third Revised Edition (1988). Retrieved on Sept, 2016, from
http://www.nzdl.org/gsdlmod?e=d-00000-00---off-0hdl--00-0----0-10-0---0---0direct-10---4-------0-1l--11-en-50---20-about---00-0-1-00-0--4----0-0-
11-10-0utfZz-8-00&a=d&c=hdl&cl=CL1.1&d=HASH70c81f6386a2600bdfdd3f.3.13
2. http://inhabitat.com/indian-students-make-bamboo-bus-stop/
3. Green, L. (2013, February 23). SCOUT PIONEERING. Retrieved October 02, 2016,
from https://scoutpioneering.com/tag/what-kind-of-rope-for-lashing/
3. Stéphane Schröder. 2009. Bamboo Joints and Joinery Techniques. Retrieved September 30, 2016,
from http://www.guaduabamboo.com/working-with-bamboo/joining-bamboo.
4. Schröder, S. (2016, May 04). Bamboo Lashing Techniques. Retrieved September 30, 2016,
from https://www.bambooimport.com/en/blog/bamboo-lashing-techniques

23. Appendix
All designs and development sketches

24. f