Bamboo construction?

[thesarasmile]

Greeting and Salutations!

I posted this question in another thread and it was suggested I post it here by "Oasis Maker". I was wondering if anyone had thought to use bamboo for construction is has a tensile strength equal to steel and has even been used as rebar in construction. It is also incredibly light.

This seems like the ideal material to use...it is cheap and very strong, environmentally friendly and is perfectly suited to Teardrop construction. This way you could keep the weight down and get less power drain in a smaller car (especially for those of us trying to design something for a four cylinder).

Also...does anyone have and design plans? or know of a site that does?

Happy to be a part of this community :-)

[Steve_Cox]

Hello Sara, and Welcome.

Why not a Generic Benroy made of bamboo?


Bamboo plywood that is

[planovet]

Welcome Sara
Bamboo is a sustainable and durable resource, why not use it while building a teardrop? If you do, take plenty of pictures

[thesarasmile]

Hello Sara, and Welcome.
Why not a Generic Benroy made of bamboo?
Bamboo plywood that is

I am fine with bamboo plywood but I trying to keep the weight down. Obviously it will need paneling and insulating....I just started looking into this....thanks for the input!

I think planovet is thinking in more of the direction I was hoping to go...

[Ageless]

How about 1/4" and 1/8" plywood?

[url]http://www.nwbamboo.com/materials.html[url][/url]

[ARKPAT]

Corrected - LINK for above Plywood.

Ageless
PostPosted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 5:36 pm Post subject:
How about 1/4" and 1/8" plywood?

http://www.nwbamboo.com/materials.html[url]

Sorry just trying to help out on the link.



Pat

[thesarasmile]

Thanks for all the input.

[aggie79]

Welcome,

Another trade name for bamboo plywood is Plyboo. I think it is an ideal material although it is a little pricey.

As far as plans, please take a look in the "Design Library" at the top of this website. For most, these aren't full construction plans, but they'll have profile and frame dimensions to get you started.

Tom

[DasBaldGuy]

Sara,

Bamboo is an awesome Idea...I am also looking into it for my build. It may be tough to find it locally, but fingers are crossed!

Can't wait to see your build thread. :-D

--DBG

[dreadcptflint]

The rate at which Bamboo grows. You might be able to have it grow into the shape that you want. You could be the first person with a living Teardrop.

[Ageless]

If you are looking at lightweight; this is as light as it gets unless you go with balsa. Bamboo runs 19 - 25 lbs.cubic foot. And being laminated; strong

[chili]

Just my 2 cents but I have bamboo countertops in my bakers nook and it is not all that light. I bought mine on sale and it was $5 a sq ft. Could get a little pricey. It would be very unique though.

[robertaw]

The rate at which Bamboo grows. You might be able to have it grow into the shape that you want. You could be the first person with a living Teardrop.

grow your own tear drop. With bamboo I suppose thats a very real possibility. The only problem would be stopping it once you had all you need.

I'm really looking forward to a build thread for this TD. It could start with the planting...

[Oasis Maker]

Hi Sara, I'm glad you reposted your question as a thread. I am very interested in how this evolves for you. I am definitely into all of the reasons why you are attracted to bamboo as a building material and if this thing goes to fruition, you will have one of the most unique teardrops around.... (well, next to the duct tape trailer that is.)

Keep going with it and welcome (again) Sara!
Scott G.

[Ageless]

Chili

The countertop is heavy because it's literally bamboo encased in epoxy. The laminated wood is much lighter.