The bamboo mesh and render ferro-cement dome building e-manual teaches you how to build a thin concrete dome shell structure in the simplest possible way, using the fewest easy-to-get materials.
The bamboo-and-mesh dome shell is a unique and sustainable way to build a dome. For countries that have a bamboo industry, this method is cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and structurally viable. It is a unique and sustainable way to build a dome
Each material serves a specific purpose in building the dome structure. Bamboo is used as reinforcement and to create the dome shape. Layers of galvanised wire mesh cover the bamboo frame, providing a matrix of reinforcement, and cement, sand, plaster, and render mortar are used to create the dome shape.
Brief tour of the 3.5m diameter Bamboo Technology dome built by students at Temple Byron, Byron Bay
A brief tour of what you will learn
Benefits of Using Bamboo
- Cost-effective, sustainable and fast-growing renewable resource.
- Same tensile strength as steel
- Lightweight and flexible
- Bamboo can be used as reinforcement for concrete structures.
- Superior mechanical properties make it a highly sustainable building material.
- Has the benefits of high carbon storage
Who is The Bamboo Dome Building Guide for?
- Anyone wanting to know how to build a strong shelter using simple materials
- For people living in tropical countries where bamboo is accessible
- For people intending to build a survival shelter
- For preppers
- For DIY or anyone anywhere on a low budget
- NOTE: Bamboo used this way does not comply with the Australian Building Code
Downloadable PDF files with the Bamboo Dome Course
PDF – 144-page Guide
PDF – 3.5m diameter set of plan sections and elevations with details
PDF – Bamboo concrete reinforcement research paper
A Case Study of 3 Projects
Curriculum Index of the E- Manual:
Index – 144 pages
- 1A Index
- 2 Disclaimer & health & Safety
- 3 Message from the authors
- 4 Introduction
- 5 References and Links
- 6 Terminology, Skills & Tools
- 7 Materials Required
- 8 Design – And Planning Your Bamboo Dome
- 9 Recommended Design for Your First Project
- 10 Index of Logical Path
- 11 Structural Loads, Openings, Doors and Windows
- 12 The Bamboo You Use
- 13 Harvesting & Treating Bamboo
- 14 Splitting Bamboo, Quantities
- 15 Concrete Foundations & Footings
- 16 Ferro Cement Structures & Mix Design
- 17 Summary of Project Case Studies
- 18 NOTES:
- 19 Mentigi Bay Project Case Study
- 20 Mentigi Early Designs
- 21 Mentigi Bay 3D Concept Design
- 22 7.0m Diameter Dome Foundation
- 23 Establishing Basic Profiles
- 24 Taking Shape
- 25 The Process – Taking More Shape
- 26 Setting Up Arches for the Opening
- 27 Framing the Skylight
- 28 Electrical Conduit
- 29 Internal Rendering
- 30 External Cladding
- 31 Building a Staircase
- 32 Bamboo Reinforced Suspended Slab
- 33 Rendering Complete Internally
- 34 Ready for Windows
- 35 Door Window Frames Installed
- 36 Dome Complete
- 37 Complete Internal
- 38 Bamboo Sculptures in Lombok
- 39 Bamboo Sculpture in Lombok
- 40 Mentigi Bay Domes (comment)
- 41 Byron Bay Sculptural Earth Covered-
- Dome Case Study
- 42 The Excavation – An Organic Process
- 43 Installing the Bowl
- 44 Bowl Installed and Plumbed
- 45 The Building Footprint – Foundation
- 46 Setting Up Formwork for the Footing
- 47 Concrete the Footings
- 48 The Bamboo – Harvest & Treat
- 49 Splitting Bamboo
- 50 Height of the Dome and Arches
- 51 Forming the Main Arches
- 52 Progressing the Shape (Arches)
- 53 Shape Takes More Shape
- 54 Dome Shape is a Cage
- 55 Tying the Bamboo
- 56 Bamboo Cage Forms Dome
- 57 Fixing Mesh to Bamboo Frame
- 58 First Layer of Mesh
- 59 Structure Becomes Rigid
- 60 The Mesh is Fixed
- 61 Applying the Render
- 62 Make Good Render
- 63 Applying First Coat of Render
- 64 The Rendering Process 1
- 65 The Rendering Process 2
- 66 The Rendering Process 3
- 67 The Rendering Process 4
- 68 Installing the Apex Ring
- 69 Looking Through The Skylight
- 70 External Render Nearly Complete
- 71 Internal After First External Coat
- 72 Forming Openings
- 73 Rendering Inside
- 74 Using a Spray Machine
- 75 Shell Cross Section
- 76 Internal Beams
- 77 Casting in Door Frame
- 78 Steel Door Jamb and Frame
- 79 Waterproofing
- 80 Perlite Layer
- 81 Backfilling the Dome
- 82 Inside Finish Coat
- 83 Using Earth Bags
- 84 Rendering Earth Bags
- 85 Progressing Earth Bags
- 86 A Few Weeks Later
- 87 Enjoying the View
- 88 External Progress
- 89 External progress2
- 90 Internal Progress
- 91 Notes
- 92 Project – Byron Bay 3.5m dome
- 93 Drawings – Cover Page
- 94 Reinforcing Steel and Concrete
- 95 Set Up Centre Pole
- 96 Fix the Vertical Split Bamboo
- 97 Fix the Horizontal Bamboo
- 98 Tying Vertical Bamboo to Apex Ring
- 99 Forming the Cage
- 100 Door Mould
- 101 Fixing the Door Frame Mould
- 102 Fabricate Hood Over Doorway
- 103 Finish Doorway Hood
- 104 Primary Purpose of Bamboo Frame
- 105 Install Window Frame Moulds
- 106 Fix Two Layers of Mesh
- 107 Fix 3rd Layer of Mesh
- 108 Mesh Around Doors & Windows
- 109 Mesh Door & Window Continued
- 110 Apply First Render Coat
- 111 Work Method
- 112 Render Around Door Arch
- 113 Hand Pack Render
- 114 Render the Crown of the Dome
- 115 Render Crown -continued
- 116 Install Electrical Conduit
- 117 Install Electrical Conduit – cont.
- 118 Install Electrical Conduit – cont.
- 119 Build External Layers
- 120 Build External Layers – cont.
- 121 Render Inside
- 122 Render Inside – cont.
- 123 Render Inside – cont.
- 124 Render Inside – cont.
- 125 Render Inside – cont.
- 126 Finish on the Final Layer
- 127 Remove Door & Window Moulds
- 128 The Finished Shell
- 129 The Finished Shell – cont.
- 130 The Painted Shell
- 131 The Painted Shell – cont.
- 132 Landscaped – Open for Business
- 133 Fabricate Skylight Ring
- 134 How to Fabricate the Skylight Ring
- 135 Cut the Plywood for the Ring Mould
- 136 Cast the Skylight Ring
- 137 De-Mold Skylight Ring
- 138 Cut to Height Skylight Ring
- 139 That’s it for now!
- 140 NOTES:
- 141 3.5m dia. Dome Plan, Elevation, Section
- 142 Window dimensions and mould block out
- 143 3.5m Bamboo Dome Quantities – P1
- 144 3.5m Bamboo Dome Quantities – P2
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Course Outline
- The Bamboo Mesh and Render Dome Building Manual Locked