Design and Analysis of a Self-Supporting Bamboo Roof Structure with Flexible Connections

Abstract

The presented study investigates a mobile bamboo roof structure with flexible connections. The developed ultralight structural system built with modular space frames, tensile pantographic grids, textile joints in polyester ropes and biocomposites, is capable of supporting itself. Prefabricated hinged flexible connections (HFC), designed for the structure, allow for a deployable mechanism, free of torsional stresses in the bamboo bars. Nonlinear analysis using the finite element method (FEM) was used to determine the forces in the structure. Static loading patterns for wind loads were investigated and it was determined that the applied forces can be safely resisted by the structural members. A numerical model, physical models and full-scale prototypes were used to investigate the complex mechanical behavior of the bamboo structure. Selected design guidelines are also introduced.