This document describes a project to construct a temporary bus shelter made of bamboo and other recycled materials. It discusses the design process including initial designs, final drawings and photos. The construction process is explained through sequences and progress photos. Key materials used are bamboo for the structure, plywood for subflooring and nipa palm thatching for the roof. Different types of joints and connections used in the structure are illustrated such as notching, nailing and lashing techniques. Load distribution diagrams show how stress is transferred through the curved structure. The conclusion reflects on lessons learned regarding bamboo properties, construction skills and considering strength, stiffness and stability in skeletal structures.

1. SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING AND DESIGN
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONS) IN ARCHITECTURE
BUILDING CONSTRUCTION II – PROJECT 1
SKELETAL CONSTRUCTION
(TEMPORARY BUS SHELTER)
CLEMENT CHEN KIT SEONG 0319574
CHONG YI QI 0304898
FOONG LIH WEY 0322687
JAMES TAY JIA CHUEN 0322210
JANICE LEE JUEN YUNG 0318695
LEONG YU SHI 0322586

2. CONTENT
■ INTRODUCTION 2
■ DESIGN PROCESS 3 – 5
■ CONSTRUCTION PROCESS 6 – 11
■ MATERIALS 12 – 13
■ JOINTS AND CONNECTIONS 15
■ LOAD DISTRIBUTION 16
■ CONCLUSION 17
■ REFERENCES 18

3. INTRODUCTION
The aim of this project is to create an understanding the
components of basic skeletal structure and the process as well as
sequence of construction. Skeletal structures are a vital
component in providing support for a structure to stand firm and
yield the dead load and external forces that are exerted on it.
Skeletal structure of a temporary bus shelter is to be built using
recycled materials in cylinder and cuboid/triangular prism shape.
Bamboo is being chosen as our temporary bus shelter materials
based on the strength to withstand the load and forces as well as
the flexibility of the materials. Various design problems are solved
through understanding how skeletal structures work.
2

4. DESIGN PROCESS
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
FINAL DESIGN DRAWINGS
FINAL DESIGN PHOTOS

5. DESIGN PROCESS
3
By using triangular prism and hexagonal prism
shape, we have created a slanted cantilever roof
with a small base. The joints were just simple
Japanese square knots. We find the stability of
the structure is low due to small base and the
stress point will be taking much load that the roof
might slip off when external force is exerted on it.
After deep research on the strength and flexibility
relationship, we have found out that curve
bamboo actually can withstand more tensile
stress than a straight bamboo. Hence, the roofing
has been changed to curve roof and the structure
is stabilized using an X-bracing at the back.
Subsequently, the seats are added as well as 2
columns supporting the load with external load is
added.

6. FINAL DESIGN
DRAWINGS
4
PLAN
SIDE ELEVATION
BACK ELEVATION
FRONT ELEVATION

7. FINAL DESIGN
PHOTOS
5

8. CONSTRUCTION PROCESS
CONSTRUCTION SEQUENCES
CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS

9. CONSTRUCTION PROCESS
CONSTRUCTION SEQUENCES
6
Floor beam is connected to the
columns. Later, floor joist is slotted into
the floor beam to transfer load to floor
beam.
Roof truss is connected to both of the
columns by using “positive fitting
connection”.
Curved columns are prefabricated.
Columns are then placed into the pad
foundation.
1 3
2
X - bracing is added to improve the
stability of the structure and to prevent
the structure being out of shape.
4

10. CONSTRUCTION PROCESS
CONSTRUCTION SEQUENCES
7
Columns are added which connect to
the floor joists to bear with the living
load and transfer the load to the floor
beam.
Subflooring – plywood is nailed onto
the floor beams and floor joists.
More bracings are added at the side to
withstand the load of the roof and to
keep the curve in shape.
5 7
6
Bamboos were tied together using
“Japanese Square Knot” then it is
connected between the column and
bracing.
8

11. CONSTRUCTION PROCESS
CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS
8

12. CONSTRUCTION PROCESS
CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS
9

13. CONSTRUCTION PROCESS
CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS
10

14. CONSTRUCTION PROCESS
CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS
11

15. MATERIALS
PRIMARY MATERIAL
SECONDARY MATERIALS

16. MATERIALS
PRIMARY MATERIAL
12
Columns, Floor Beams, Floor Joists, Bracings, Seats
We were encouraged to use recycled materials for this bus
shelter and we ventured into the use of bamboo. Bamboo
is readily available and does not threaten the environment
thus considered recyclable. As for aesthetical purposes,
bamboo is naturally aesthetically pleasing to the eye
without the need of any finishing. Furthermore, as for the
strength of the shelter, bamboo has high strength-to-
weight ratio due to nodes throughout the length of
bamboo. Consequently, we planned to design the ends of
bamboo with nodes which will enhance the structural
support of the shelter. Besides that, bamboo has a higher
compressive strength than wood, brick or concrete as well
as a tensile strength which rivals steel.
BAMBOO

17. MATERIALS
SECONDARY MATERIALS
13
PLYWOOD Subflooring
Plywood is a laminate, with multiple layers of wood chips and shavings laid on top of
each other and glued together. Plywood is also about twice as resistant to sheering as
regular wood. It is cheaper compared to real wood. Plywood is sometimes less prone to
absorb moisture thus making it more stable.
NIPA PALM THATCHING
Roofing
Nipa palm is a trunkless plant that
grows in coastal areas, brackish
swamps in the Philippines. Nipa
leaves can be harvested for roof
shingle production. Nipa palm
thatching is a good thermal
insulation for hot humid climates
like Malaysia. Also, advantages are
it is lightweight, long lasting if
properly harvested and good wind
resistance as it is permeable thus
doesn’t attract suction forces as
high as corrugated galvanised iron
(CGI) roofing.
NYLON ROPE
Joints
Nylon rope is strong, durable, light weight and
resistant to abrasion, insects, fungi, and many
chemicals. It is also UV resistant and has a
melting point of 254°C hence suitable for
outdoor use. Nylon rope was chosen because it
is less slippery than polyethylene ropes and
has a higher tensile strength among all
synthetic polymers for example polypropylene
and polyester. It also offers greater stretching
ability and shrink resistant for easier tying of
ropes on joints.

18. STRUCTURE
JOINTS AND CONNECTIONS

19. STRUCTURE
JOINTS AND CONNECTIONS
14
NAILING (Subflooring)
Used in rough framing and light work in
frame construction. Casing nail used in
finishing carpentry work to fasten the
floor planks.
INTERLOCKING NOTCH
JOINTS (X Bracing)
By relying on the tensile strength of nodes,
cut the top half of the bamboo off according
to the diameter of the joining bamboo. The
notch meets with one another formed flat
notch joints. This square joints are used to
avoid slippage and remain firmed.
POSITIVE FITTING
CONECTION
(Floor Joists to Floor Beams and Roof Truss to
Column)
Cut a hole on the bamboo and make it
connect the another vertical bamboo
rods. Use the lashing technique to make
it more secure and stable.

20. STRUCTURE
JOINTS AND CONNECTIONS
15
JAPANESE SQUARE LASHING
(Seats)
Used to align and secure the bamboo for the shelter bench.
Tied by looping the center of the rope around the vertical spar
and carrying the stands parallel to each other while taking the
wrapping turns. It is an aesthetically pleasing lashing technique
and simplest and easiest form of Japanese lashing.
DIAGONAL BRACING
(X Bracing)
Added to bind two poles together that cross
each other to resist sideway forces. Used for
secure diagonal crossing pole and hold the
structure rigid overcome the structure from
shifting and moving
SHEAR LASHING
(Nipa Palm Thatching To Roof Truss)
Used to lash the two poles together.
Wrap the lashing with two tight frapping
turns. Tie off the end with a clove hitch.

21. STRUCTURE
LOAD DISTRIBUTION
FORCES AND STRESS DIAGRAM

22. STRUCTURE
LOAD DISTRIBUTION
16
FORCE AND STRESS DIAGRAMS
The design of this bus stop is curved, the load is transferred around the curved bamboo down to the ground. By doing this, the load
can be distributed by the material, and curved structure tend to be stronger and adds more stress to the joints, this is why the
bracings are added to support the structure and reduce the stress.
The diagrams above shows the stress forces along the structure. High stress joints are often neutralized with bracings.

23. CONCLUSION
Through this project, we have gained a lot of experiences in
problem solving during the construction process as well as
making the joints and connections between each components.
We have also understand the bamboo’s properties due to its
flexibility and strength relationship. Besides that, we have also
understand the reaction of skeletal structure towards loads and
forces in certain situations. Strength, stiffness and stability are
taken into considerations. We are able to apply some basic
construction knowledge such as Japanese square knot to
strengthen the stability of the structure.
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24. REFERENCES
■ Bamboo Joints and Joinery Techniques. (n.d.). Retrieved May 09, 2016, from
http://www.guaduabamboo.com/working-with-bamboo/joining-bamboo
■ Bamboo-2. (2015). Retrieved May 09, 2016, from https://artaiafvg.wordpress.com/agricolture-and-
vineyards/bamboo-moso/bamboo-2-2/
■ Natural Building Colloquium. (n.d.). Retrieved May 09, 2016, from
http://www.networkearth.org/naturalbuilding/bamboo.html
■ Sustainable thatching materials production from nipa (nypa fruticans) in Bohol, Philippines. (n.d.). Retrieved
May 09, 2016, from
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/21580103.2008.9656343#.VzCp0fl96hc
■ Nylon Rope - Strength. (n.d.). Retrieved May 09, 2016, from http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/nylon-rope-
strength-d_1513.html
■ Difference Between Polypropylene and Nylon. (2012). Retrieved May 09, 2016, from
http://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-polypropylene-and-vs-nylon/
■ Polypropylene, Polyester, and Nylon: More Than You Ever Wanted to Know. (2012). Retrieved May 09, 2016,
from https://www.qualitylogoproducts.com/blog/polypropylene-polyester-nylon-guide-to-materials/
■ Characteristics of Plywood. (n.d.). Retrieved May 09, 2016, from
http://homeguides.sfgate.com/characteristics-plywood-99494.html
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