Taught by Ferdinand Ludwig green technology PhD in Landscape Architecture from the Technical University of Munich (TUM). In 2007, driven by his interest in the integration of plants in architecture, hebotanist” is a new research area focused on this approach. And if there is one outstanding example of this type of natural engineering, it is the bridges developed by his Khasi and Jaintia people of India by using the roots of rubber trees as a building material. Ficus elastica, as its botanical name is, has aerial roots that guide the wind around bamboo sticks and palm stalks as the locals call it. The result of this construction technique is a unique type of self-constructing bridges, up to 50 meters long, used by locals to cross the many rivers and gorges of the Meghalaya Plateau in northeast India.
Ludwig, in collaboration with Thomas Speck, professor of botany at the University of Friborg, is now analyzing these structures through thousands of photographs and personal interviews with some of the builders.The goal was to create 3D model In order to deepen our understanding of the design of living bridges, we also keep records of building techniques that were passed down orally.
Researchers of this construction project have confirmed that the bridge is a very complex structure, and phenomena such as insulation occur. In addition, new roots twist around old roots, strengthening the structure over time.because unlike them concrete, the stone or metal counterpart, the root bridge, is an infrastructure that strengthens over time. a long time.
Pact between generations
the same as Innovative construction Buildings constructed by the Khasi and Jaintia tribes can last for centuries, taking decades or even centuries to complete. One solution to this hurdle is to use a temporary structure that is gradually covered with new bridges until the required strength is reached. One way or another, this is an ancestral work, a living legacy from our ancestors. Each family or village maintains one or more specific bridges. This means that construction and maintenance are collaborative efforts.
the promoter of Baubotaniq In an era of global warming, this Sustainable and eco-friendly technology By doing so, we can leave a better planet for future generations. If modern cities embrace wood as a living building material, it could be an effective tool against the urban heat island effect caused by concrete and asphalt.
To find out more about Ludwig and his team, visit construction planin this video you can see some of their work, such as a bridge over willow trees.
sauce: science daily
