BASKET WEAVING

bamboo

It is grown all over Zambia.

Its availability determines its prevalence in construction.

Characteristics of:

 

Bamboo is cut in half along its length.

It is then stuck in a shallow foundation about .2 meter deep.

3 split bamboo shoots are placed vertically every .5 meter around a circular radius.

Woven together in a pattern.
Corners do not work with bamboo; at 90 degrees bamboo will crack from pressure.
Rounded weaving works as a system, which distributes loads equally.

3 bamboo stalks are placed vertically every .5 meter around a radius.

Bamboo is woven vertically from bottom to top.

The bamboo wall is plastered over to give stability and rigidity

The thickness of the plaster is about .2 meter

Some areas may not be plastered over to allow for ventilation. This is evident in cooking insakas.

Bamboo walls are not load bearing.The weight is transferred to poles on the outside of the walls. The walls take some load but not the majority.

A raised mud floor also adds to stability

This structure is half complete. Roof poles are selected and tested for length.
An exposed wall shows the thickness of the bamboo and of the plaster.
Poles are placed into the ground and spaced every .5 meters around a circles circumference.
This house demonstrates how the loads from the roof are dispersed to the exterior poles.

 

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