Method for preparing a terminal assembly for bamboo

A method for the preparation of a terminal assembly for bamboo, comprising the steps of:

• selection of cured, dried and immunized bamboo stems (5) by diameter and according to the design of the structure to be produced;
• cutting of the bamboo stems (5) and a plurality of screws as required by design specifications;
• marking a first end of the bamboo stem (5) in eight equal sections (6), by drawing lines and projecting said lines to points on an inside of the bamboo stem (5) for a distance corresponding to a diameter of a mouth (8) of the bamboo stem (5);
• perforating the beginning of said lines with a thin wood-drill;
• making incisions (7) from the first end of the bamboo stem (5) to each of said points marked at which the perforation already made by the drill is located;
• repeating said preceding steps for each of the sections (6) marked on the base;
• said incisions (7) being about 2.5 mm-3.5 mm wide and when said steps are repeated for each incision, there will result eight channels (7) ending in the holes made by the drill;
• use of a closing chain (9) which allows the point being worked to close such that when the end is clamped the mouth (8) of the bamboo is closed 10%;
• the inside layer of the bamboo is removed to a depth of 9.5-10.5 cm using a metal scourer or brush (10);
• after the first end of the bamboo stem (5) is closed, installing a metal ring (1) around the stem (5) and a centrally disposed screw (2) within the stem (5), using the closing chain (9) to maintain the channels (7) of the bamboo stem (5) closed, adjusting the chain (9) to the measurement of the ring (1);
• bringing the ring (1) to the level of the end of the mouth (8) of the bamboo stem, striking it gently with a hammer;
• taking the end being worked, opening an orifice through the ring (1), with a diameter equal to that of a steel cable (4).
• taking one of an end of the steel cable (4) and passing it through the orifice (11) leaving a section of 7.5-8.5 cm inside the bamboo stem (5);
• winding the steel cable (4) around the bamboo stem (5) until it passes the zone where the channels (7) end, winding the steel cable (4) round some four times more;
• tensioning the steel cable (4) as it is being wound, and applying gentle blows of a hammer towards the ring (1) in order to ensure that there is no space between one wind and the next;
• drilling the bamboo stem (5) to the diameter of the steel cable (4) and introducing the end to remain inside the bamboo stem (5);
• once both ends of the cable are inside the bamboo stem (5) they are tensioned to the maximum and joined together by a metal clamp (12), introducing it into a cavity (14);
• centering the screw (2), previously welded to a stub (3) or metal support to steady the screw (2) and inserting a filling material (13) leaving an anchor section inside;
• working the filling material (13) in the cavity (14) until a first internode of the first end of the bamboo stem (5) is filled, sporadically vibrating the bamboo stem (5) in order to ensure that no air-bubbles remain inside.