TRADA International and bamboo
TRADA has been involved in bamboo development projects since 1994, funded by the UK department for International Development (DFID). The aims of TRADA's work with bamboo are to increase the access of the poor to safe, secure, durable shelter and to develop programmes which promote and support sustainable livelihoods.
Development
Working with partners in India, a modular bamboo-based building system has been developed that offers shelter and livelihood security to some of the poorest and most vulnerable members of society. The system, which has been shown to be sustainable, affordable, strong and durable, is the result of a comprehensive programme of R&D:
| Preservative treatment (methods and materials) |
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Simple, modular building system (1 and 2-storey) |
| Performance testing (floors, roofs, walls and joints) |
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Practical application of corrugated bamboo matboard |
| Full-scale earthquake resistance testing |
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Footbridge designs |
Demonstration buildings
High quality demonstrations have proved the key to countering negative perceptions and popularising the new technologies. The effectiveness of corrugated bamboo matboard as a roofing material has also been established, and a wide range of bamboo buildings has been constructed in India to showcase the complete system:
| Minimum cost (slum clearance board) house |
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Improved low-income house |
| Middle-income houses (one and two-storey) |
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Ministry pavilion and office roof terrace |
| Treatment facility for the Forestry Department |
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Two gatehouses and a sentry box |
| Workshop building for an NGO |
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Training Institute information centre |
Dissemination and training
The work has been characterised throughout by interaction with target groups to determine their needs and directly impart the relevant skills and knowledge, close working relationships with national government bodies and NGOs, and by the use of various media to promote and disseminate the new thinking:
| The book "Bamboo in construction" |
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The training manual "Building with bamboo" |
| Training programmes and workshops |
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International and regional seminars |
| Orissa livelihoods study |
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Input to draft Indian national building code |
| A series of technical reports, posters and videos |
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Partnerships with local and national bodies |
TRADA International and bamboo | Bamboo - the resource | Bamboo buildings
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