Bamboology homework

David · **Posted:** Wed Dec 13, 2006 1:00 pm

Ladies and gentlemen bamboologists,

Top Secret: proceed with caution

Iowaboo · **Posted:** Wed Dec 13, 2006 2:15 pm

I was interested what kind of contraption it would take to measure the height of bamboo.
Justing throwing a thought out there in cyberspace.

foxd · **Posted:** Wed Dec 13, 2006 2:51 pm

Iowaboo wrote:

I was interested what kind of contraption it would take to measure the height of bamboo.
Justing throwing a thought out there in cyberspace.

A first order approximation of the height can be done by fastening a pole of known length against the bamboo to be measured, standing some distance back and comparing the ratio of the heights using a ruler held at arms length. The method could be tweaked by introducing some trigonometry where appropriate.

Since the winning entry is to be included in a booklet, I guess the idea I had using lasers and machined aluminum is right out. Darn!

Just how large of culms should the device be capable of measuring? How small? Shouldn't there be documentation of how it works to assure the accuracy of the measurements?

Iowaboo · **Posted:** Wed Dec 13, 2006 3:11 pm

Quote:

Shouldn't there be documentation of how it works to assure the accuracy of the measurements?

Or does it have to be accurate? can it just estimate diameters?

David · **Posted:** Wed Dec 13, 2006 4:20 pm

The capacity, accuracy, and degree of complexity of the device is up to the contestant.

Proper function should be demonstrated.

Let's just stay with diameter measurements for now, and perhaps we could do the same for height depending on the interest, and participation.

Perhaps a selection of the top ten devices could be compiled into an e-book with the proceeds going to the ABS.

Roy · **Posted:** Wed Dec 13, 2006 5:49 pm

Quote:

The contest: Build a device to measure the diameter of standing bamboo culms.

From your post and other replies to your post, I'm not quite sure on your proposal; at least what you are asking. Are you talking specifically about diameter, not height, not circumference, not ratio, just diameter of say a clump of Bambusa tuldoides? :?:

Iowaboo · **Posted:** Wed Dec 13, 2006 6:04 pm

Quote:

From your post and other replies to your post, I'm not quite sure on your proposal; at least what you are asking. Are you talking specifically about diameter, not height, not circumference, not ratio, just diameter of say a clump of Bambusa tuldoides

I thought he was talking about culm diameter, not clump diameter. Because to say everyone has a clump wouldn't work for measuring. HOw do you measure a clump of running bamboo? It would be irregular shape. Or maybe that is the point, to get us to think outside the box. Maybe I will build a kite that can stretch from one part of the grove using measuring tape as the string. I would then have the diameter of said grove.

Roy · **Posted:** Wed Dec 13, 2006 6:15 pm

Iowaboo wrote:

Quote:

From your post and other replies to your post, I'm not quite sure on your proposal; at least what you are asking. Are you talking specifically about diameter, not height, not circumference, not ratio, just diameter of say a clump of Bambusa tuldoides

I thought he was talking about culm diameter, not clump diameter. Because to say everyone has a clump wouldn't work for measuring. HOw do you measure a clump of running bamboo? It would be irregular shape. Or maybe that is the point, to get us to think outside the box. Maybe I will build a kite that can stretch from one part of the grove using measuring tape as the string. I would then have the diameter of said grove.

But look at what the rule maker says:

Quote:

The contest: Build a device to measure the diameter of standing bamboo culms.

Culms is plural. To a tropical guy, "standing bamboo culms" equates with a clump of tropical bamboo. Anyone see this differently?

Iowaboo · **Posted:** Wed Dec 13, 2006 6:20 pm

Quote:

But look at what the rule maker says:

Quote:

The contest: Build a device to measure the diameter of standing bamboo culms.

Culms is plural. To a tropical guy, "standing bamboo culms" equates with a clump of tropical bamboo. Anyone see this differently?

To understand the meaning of the phrase, you have to understand where the words originated from . Since David grows temperate bamboo, we could safely assume that the meaning in which a tropical guy sees, was not the intended meaning in which he wrote.

BruceLofland · **Posted:** Wed Dec 13, 2006 6:22 pm

Quote:

Culms is plural. To a tropical guy, "standing bamboo culms" equates with a clump of tropical bamboo. Anyone see this differently?

Being a non-tropical guy, I see this as meaning it can be used to measure culms generally speaking, not as a group. I see this as a solicitation for a simple caliper or something like that. It would measure individual culms rather that groups of them.

foxd · **Posted:** Wed Dec 13, 2006 8:32 pm

Okay, I have worked out the design of a simple device to measure culm diameter. It is accurate and easy to use. It can easily be scaled up for reading large culms diameters, but is limited to measuring culms no smaller than 1/4 inch. It could also be modified to read metric.

I've worked up an Excel spreadsheet for doing the calculations needed for layout and it might be possible for some individual to set up mass production of them, depending on availability of materials and equipment. Though thinking about it, it would only take a small cash outlay to make devices that could measure culms between 1/4 and 4 inches in diameter, providing I could find the proper material to make them out of, since I figure it should be durable. I'll do some Googling.

Iowaboo · **Posted:** Wed Dec 13, 2006 9:08 pm

Quote:

Okay, I have worked out the design of a simple device to measure culm diameter. It is accurate and easy to use. I

Here's a pic from the bambooweb.info gallery. That seems simple

Roy · **Posted:** Wed Dec 13, 2006 9:32 pm

BruceLofland wrote:

Quote:

Culms is plural. To a tropical guy, "standing bamboo culms" equates with a clump of tropical bamboo. Anyone see this differently?

Being a non-tropical guy, I see this as meaning it can be used to measure culms generally speaking, not as a group. I see this as a solicitation for a simple caliper or something like that. It would measure individual culms rather that groups of them.

Still can't agree on the logic if it's just a single culm diameter measuring device. A simple economical one has already been invented so why re-invent the wheel? Here's my cheap, economical, and fairly accurate device:

<img src="http://www.bambooweb.info/images/bamboo/B_oldhamii_5in.jpg" alt="Bambusa oldhamii ">

foxd · **Posted:** Wed Dec 13, 2006 10:14 pm

Yes, one could use calipers, I have a set that I use for measuring culms. However, that isn't in the spirit of the contest.

David: Where do we make the entry posting at?

Roy · **Posted:** Wed Dec 13, 2006 10:22 pm

foxd wrote:

Yes, one could use calipers, I have a set that I use for measuring culms. However, that isn't in the spirit of the contest.
...snip..

Could you break down this "spirit of the contest" phrase as applied to this contest?

I'm still waiting on the defining issue of "diameter of standing bamboo culms" as applied to construction of this device.

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