LOW-COST ADOBE STRUCTURE WITH BAMBOO ADDITIVES AND BAMBOO FRAMES STRENGTH TESTS

The research shows the possibility to improve the resistance of adobe constructions using products of bamboo processing waste, like the bamboo powder. It can be used as additive in the mixture of the adobe bricks and can increase their resistance. A parallel research has investigated the possibility of using bamboo canes to realize an external reinforcement to the adobe structures. Under normal operating conditions, the bamboo reinforcement does not collaborate with the adobe structure, but in case of strong exceptional events is able to avoid the collapse of adobe walls. The tested solutions suits to solve many problems in difficult contexts in Latin America. In fact, this system can be built as self-construction, in environmental extremely precarious conditions, and is also part of the traditional building knowledge of the populations to which it is addressed.