Bamboo active school: structural design and material testing

In October 2013, the Philippines experienced a large (magnitude 7·2) earthquake and typhoon in a span of three weeks. As part of the rebuilding process, Simpson Gumpertz & Heger Inc. (SGH), working with New York architecture firm actLAB, consulted on designs to reconstruct two schools in the towns of Maribojoc and Loon. Designers and builders have given increasing attention to bamboo for engineered structures and are now using the material in a range of applications. Bamboo has good structural properties and can provide a sustainable construction material. Bamboo is a locally sourced material in the Philippines and was used for the structural columns and roof trusses in the school design while brick bearing walls provided the lateral force resisting system. SGH consulted on the overall structural design for the schools and focused on bamboo behaviour and details using its in-house materials laboratory. SGH also conducted a series of tests to investigate the strength of the bamboo connections in the roof truss. actLAB then used SGH's recommendations to work with a local structural engineer and bamboo craftsman to finalise construction of the schools. The project brought together craftsmen, designers and engineers with local construction methods to re-engineer new classrooms and maximise structural resiliency.