Bamboo beams can support up to 16 tons in bridge application. Just look out for termites…
Bamboo beams can support up to 16 tons in bridge application. Just look out for termites…
This floating home maximizes its waterfront location with seamless indoor-outdoor living, a unique two-story layout, and a design that prioritizes light and views.
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Replies
Pretty cool idea.
In retrospect, not terribly surprising if you have ever handled the old split bamboo fly rods from Orvis -- strong and light.
I wonder if the manufacturer recommends finishing with lead based paint for exterior applications? :)
Jim
Still wonder about the insect issue. Formosan termites will eat any damn thing. Guess they could coat it with some type of termaticide. Still gonna have to have RC footings, columns, headwalls, and piers to support the structure.
Could have really good apps in structural construction too. I think probably this is just a "test" to get supplyers interested in the product.
Termites? No problem - chlordane (sp) is probably still available there. Insects would be a relatively small problem - I'm sure a cure could be devised. Any wood or wood like material would be susceptible to the termite problem.
I find it a potentially more exciting interior material than exterior.
I think pandas prefer eucalyptus leaves but will eat bamboo leaves.
JimNever underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.
Thought they outlawed chloridane everywhere?
Anyway, only works with subterranian termites. The Formosan type make hives in trees and don't need to return to ground. They could be living in your attic eating the house...
We only have subterranian type here.
Didn't know about Formosan living in hives, don't think they are this far north - maybe I should check the attic anyway.............
Jim Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.
> don't think they are this far northOne of the interesting side effects of the trend toward warmer temps in this continent is that species will migrate to areas they have not been to before. Termites will be more northern than they've historically been, for example. Oughta be something to watch that play out over the next few hundred years...well, you know what I mean...
>>Oughta be something to watch that play out over the next few hundred years...<<
Yeah, I'll keep my eyes peeled...but that dirt over me might make it hard... ;-)
I beliece Orvis, Winston and Sage can still provide you with a bamboo fly rod...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Yes they can!
Have never used any but Orvis a thing of beauty, and an extension of one's arm.
JimNever underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.
more than that....
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
So...what do you use for bait for flies? What's the limit? How do you prepare'em?
Enquiring minds must know...
no limit...
drop of honey with pine pitch mixed in...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
It's not really a surprise ... man has been using locally available materials for building since building began. It's really no accident that the Vikings had exquisite woodworking skills, while the Puebla were adept at making adobe.
Termites? Don't panda chew on bamboo? Might make for an interesting morning drive. Or ride. Or walk.
We've forgot just how far we've come in just the past hundred years. major parts of the world ... China included ... live in the local version of the grass hut - dirt floor and all. China has massive infrastructure challenges - challenges that make the New Orleans rebuild look like a weekend project.
Otherwise, bamboo has the potential of becoming the 'organic graphite fiber.' Long, strong, flexible strands .... there's a very real potential lurking there.
I like that term, "organic graphite fiber." I wonder what glues, pressures, and other processes are used in that material. I know bamboo grows on marginal soil, and in widely diverse climates. Might be better than good old loblly pine...
Sort of a hijack here, but Vikings also made excellent swords--from what I understand their swords and knives were as good or better than those made by the Japanese, but we never hear about them. Okay, back to your regular program!
their stratagies / tactics and personal armor was way ahead of their time in comparison to the rest of the world...
not to mention their water craft...
and fish harvesting gear...
Okay, back to your regular program!
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
More importantly, didn't they also "invent" mead?
I think so..
and navigation...
refrigeration too...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Yet, despite that, hardly anyone ran down to the beaches to welcome them to their communities when the Vikings "visited"! "Well ma, better put another kettle of mead in the fridge, the Vikings have arrived!"
not only did the Vikings rule...
thet were cool too...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
I want a set of those horns on my hard hat!
can do....
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
>>refrigeration too...<<
I believe that was William Thomson (Lord Kelvin), around 1897, among other notable discoveries...
they built refers in the permafrost...
so says National Geographic...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
http://www.calfeedesign.com/bamboo.htm
not just for bridges!
Instead of using round, pole-like pieces of unprocessed bamboo, which have been used as building material for many thousands of years, he came up with a way of assembling timber-like beams from many smaller strips of bamboo.
Precise details on the process remain proprietary, but Xiao says the strips are cut from large stalks of bamboo, arranged in multiple layers, and bonded together with glue. The technique has never been used to build such large beams before, Xiao says.
Proprietary ?
Someone needs to tell Xiao they are called Gluelams and they've been around for about 50 years.
carpenter in transition
or LVL's....
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!