Development of prefab shelter using bamboo culms and bamboo bio-concrete for emergency scenarios

Abstract

The rise in forcibly displaced individuals has prompted the need for the construction of emergency support units. However, as the need for shelters grows, so does the demand for conventional materials, which are potential emitters of carbon dioxide. To interrupt this cycle, building with alternative materials needs to be further examined. This study aims to present a prefabricated modular constructive system for a shelter composed of prefabricated pieces with a moso bamboo culms structure and bamboo bio-concrete panels. Studies were conducted on form, environmental comfort, and how to provide adaptability of the shelter’s space. The bio-concrete, the bamboo culms with three different configurations and the connection of the shelter were experimentally analyzed. The bio-concrete studied was produced with 45% of bamboo waste in volume and mechanically characterized. The compressive tests of the bamboo structural system pointed out that the beam diaphragm positioned on the center of the fish mouth was the best configuration for this type of orthogonal fitting. This setup presented a maximum stress of 9.12 MPa, being 1.33 times greater than the alternative with internode in the center of the fish mouth. The tensile tests with anchored joints indicated an average maximum load of 3.66 kN. The modular architecture with the constructive system proposed was analyzed applying the direct stiffness method, obtaining satisfactory results for its use in different locations in Brazil, due to the material availability and mechanical performance.