Abstract: A bamboo laminated lumber is provided having structural characteristics meeting or exceeding dimensionally equivalent wood based components. The bamboo laminated lumber is formed from bamboo laminated elements laminated and joined together to form dimensional lumber and engineered lumber components. The bamboo laminated lumber element comprises a combination of linear bamboo starter boards being halves of timber bamboo canes pressed flat with the inner pith surfaces laminated together with the grain aligned and skewed bamboo starter boards being halves of timber bamboo canes pressed flat with the inner pith surfaces laminated together with the grain offset from centerline at a specified angle. Top and bottom linear bamboo starter boards are laminated to a central skewed bamboo starter board yielding a bamboo laminated lumber element.

Abstract: A bamboo laminated construction panel and method of manufacture is provided wherein at least two layers of prepared bamboo are laminated together with outside surface wood veneer layers. Linear bamboo starter boards, made from timber bamboo culm cut to length, split longitudinally, processed to remove sugars, pressed flat into bamboo planks with the soft pith surfaces of two bamboo planks laminated together with grain aligned, are disposed adjacent to each other along the longitudinal side edges forming a linear bamboo starter board layer. The bamboo laminated panel is formed by laminating a first wood veneer layer with grain disposed perpendicular to the vertical centerline of the finished panel, first and second bamboo starter board layers with grains aligned opposingly and equally offset from the centerline, and a second wood veneer layer with grain also perpendicularly aligned. Additional bamboo starter board layers are optionally included in pairs to form thicker panels.

Abstract: The installation of panelized wall systems requires the use of connection tracks to both align and hold the panels in the precise location according the specification provided in the structural engineered plans. Some panelized wall systems are comprised of two panels disposed in a parallel position so as to define a wall cavity to contain plumbing, other utilities and insulation. In the prior art, connection tracks are made of one monolithic piece, which has the unfortunate characteristic of transferring thermal energy from one side of the connection track to the other. Disclosed embodiments break the thermal bridge of the prior art while maintaining the structural integrity of the prior art embodiments. While the disclosed connection tracks achieve desired thermal properties, they present new challenges in installation. A disclosed jig and corner installation system is required to install the disclosed connection tracks in a precisely parallel position to each other.

Abstract: A disclosed press 100 may flatten halved bamboo stalks or other workpieces without loss of volume or splintering. In a first mechanical movement executed by a pushrod drive train 300, a plurality of spreader bar assemblies 370 press upon the centerline of a workpiece such that the workpiece does not move off of a work surface but is yet not over crushed. Each spreader bar assembly may comprise two spreader bars 350 hingedly attached to a pushrod 345. The lower end of the pushrod and proximal ends 363 of the spreader bars pin down the workpiece. In a second mechanical movement executed by a crusher bar drive train 400, the distal ends of the spreader bars are moved outwardly and spread apart the curved walls of the workpiece. In the last phases of a second movement, planar track plates 440 press downwardly upon the workpiece.

Abstract: A truss bracket for mounting roof trusses and floor joists to wall systems absent traditional wood frame top plates utilizing in-plane end load bearing panels, resembling a chair, comprises a base plate with a vertical receiving plate extending upwards from the rear of the base plate for receiving a typical roof truss or floor joist and having downwardly extending mounting tabs along the left and right sides of the base plate suitable for being received by grooves in top track grooves of an in-plane end load bearing panel wall system or for attachment to the vertical sides of panels of a wall. The truss bracket provides high uplift load capacity by arranging all fasteners to the wall system and the truss or joint in shear when loaded.

Abstract: A high strength bamboo I-beam is provided comprising a bamboo web formed from bamboo boards formed by splaying, pressing and planing bamboo culm and having flanges laminated to the top and bottom of the web. The I-beam flanges each comprise a laminated bamboo flange element on either side of the web portion wherein the top and bottom edges of the web portion are flush with the top and bottom flanges of the I-beam. The flange elements are formed from laminated strips of splayed, pressed and planed bamboo culm. The I-beam is bonded with non-formaldehyde adhesives. Orientation of the high fiber cortex regions of the bamboo boards imparts structural characteristics to the beam. The bamboo I-beam provides a lightweight, low cost, high strength, and fire resistant load bearing construction component.

Abstract: A bamboo load bearing panel includes at least one bamboo panel element. The bamboo panel element includes a bamboo laminate layer with first and second layers of a plurality of bamboo strips having a cortex and pith surface, parallel and longitudinally cut from bamboo culm pressed flat and planed wherein the first and second layers are each planed to a thickness. The cortex surface of the first layer of bamboo strip is bonded to the cortex surface of the second layer of bamboo strip and a wood veneer layer is bonded to the pith surface of the first layer of the bamboo strip positioned such that the grain of the wood veneer layer is perpendicular to the grain of the bamboo strip. A finished bamboo load bearing panel includes at least one bamboo panel element bonded to optional layers of finishing wood veneers.

Abstract: A studless load bearing panel wall system includes an assembly of bamboo based load bearing panels. The panels may be centrally milled along all edges suitable for accepting spline brackets along the vertical edges thereby constructing wall faces. Channels along the top and bottom edges accept two panels to form a studless wall having an inner and outer panel. The panels may be fastened to the splines and channels by means of screw fasteners. Bamboo based load bearing panels comprising layers formed from pressed bamboo strips bonded with layers of softwood veneers provide high load bearing strength while being dimensionally similar to conventional plywood. Non-load bearing alternate embodiments of the bamboo based panels in combination with similar spline brackets and channels are utilized to construct studless interior walls.