Date: 20/9/2024 (Friday)
Time: 1730 - 1900 hrs.
Venue: CTARA Conference Room No.1
Title: BAMBOO WALL PANELS FOR RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE
Supervisor: Prof. Chaaruchandra Korde RPC Members: Prof. Satish B Agnihotri, Prof. Prakash Nanthagopalan
Abstract:
As rural India grapples with infrastructure deficits, the need for sustainable, appropriate, cost-effective building materials has become increasingly evident. Bamboo wall panels, particularly the Ekra panel, have emerged as a promising solution to bridge the gap between rural and urban construction practices. However, these panels lack standardization and validated technical specifications, limiting their widespread adoption. This study builds upon previous findings by addressing the technical gaps by developing testing protocols and evaluating the proposed bamboo technology.
Preliminary investigations have focused on the thermal, fire, and acoustic performance of bamboo wall panels, alongside their structural integrity and durability. A series of experiments, including numerical simulations in Rhino and ANSYS Fluent, were conducted to establish test protocols tailored to bamboo's unique properties as a functionally graded material. The gross anatomical structure of bamboo, with its varying fibre densities, complex vascular arrangements, and high silica content in the outer layers, has been a key focus to better understand its behaviour under different conditions. The research further explores sustainable alternatives to traditional wood frames and examines the social acceptability of bamboo wall panels in rural contexts. To enhance application and social acceptability, the research also incorporates the use of bamboo panels in the design proposal for Anganwadi centres, in alignment with government directives promoting local and sustainable materials in public infrastructure. By implementing these panels in community buildings, the study aims to build public trust and overcome perceptions associated with bamboo as a construction material.
The study aims to create a framework for the technical characterization of bamboo, specifically focusing on fire resistance, thermal insulation, acoustic properties, and overall performance, so that the development of standardized bamboo composite panels is possible. By addressing these gaps, this research aims to position bamboo as a viable and sustainable material for rural construction, promoting environmental sustainability while preserving cultural identity.