ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses an overview of second phase investigation of buildings made of bamboo gridshells in Da Nang University of Technology in Vietnam. It explores basic principles of gridshells and chain model formfinding. The shells are typically constructed using concrete that can be formed identically with the chain model. Students were encouraged to push on the models to get a sense of the resistance to vertical and lateral loads and of the shell action in resisting such loads. The challenge given the students was to construct four prototype connections of the typical condition of the node intersection of two structural members. The prototype connections produced by the students can be grouped into three main categories: variations on traditional lashing connections, prefabricated connectors using a pair of pivotally linked tubes, and clamp-type connectors. It is easy to thread the gridshell assembly around the trees without disturbing them during assembly and erection operations.
