Universität Stuttgart
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Item Open Access Fibrx rocking chair : design and application of tailored timber as an embedded frame for natural fibre-reinforced polymer (NFRP) coreless winding(2023) Pittiglio, Alexandra; Simpson, Ailey; Costalonga Martins, Vanessa; Dahy, HanaaThe building industry needs to innovate towards a more sustainable future and can do so through a combination of more renewable material choices and less wasteful fabrication processes. To address these issues, a hybrid material and fabrication system was developed using laminated timber veneer and natural fibre-reinforced composites (NFRPs), two materials that are leveraged for their potential of strategic material placement in additive processes towards programmed material behaviour and performance. The main contribution is in the hybrid fabrication approach, using thin, bent laminated veneer as an embedded frame for coreless filament winding of NFRP, which removes the need for temporary, wasteful formwork that is typically required to achieve structurally performative bent timber or FRP elements. Integrative methods are developed for the design, simulation, and fabrication of a rocking chair prototype that illustrates the architectural potential of the developed fabrication approach.Item Open Access Tensegrity FlaxSeat : exploring the application of unidirectional natural fiber biocomposite profiles in a tensegrity configuration as a concept for architectural applications(2024) Renner, Markus; Spyridonos, Evgenia; Dahy, HanaaMaterial selection is crucial for advancing sustainability in the building sector. While composites have become popular, biocomposites play a pivotal role in raising awareness of materials deriving from biomass resources. This study presents a new linear biocomposite profile, fabricated using pultrusion technology, a continuous process for producing endless fiber-reinforced composites with consistent cross-sections. The developed profiles are made from flax fibers and a plant-based resin. This paper focuses on the application of these profiles in tensegrity systems, which combine compression and tension elements to achieve equilibrium. In this study, the biocomposite profiles were used as compression elements, leveraging their properties. The methods include geometrical development using physical and digital models to optimize the geometry based on material properties and dimensions. A parametric algorithm including physics simulations was developed for this purpose. Further investigations explore material options for tension members and connections, as well as assembly processes. The results include several prototypes on different scales. Initially, the basic tensegrity principle was built and explored. The lessons learned were applied in a final prototype of 1.5 m on a furniture scale, specifically a chair, integrating a hanging membrane serving as a seat. This structure validates the developed system, proving the feasibility of employing biocomposite profiles in tensegrity configurations. Furthermore, considerations for scaling up the systems to an architectural level are discussed, highlighting the potential to enhance sustainability through the use of renewable and eco-friendly building materials, while promoting tensegrity design applications.Item Open Access Bio-modules : mycelium-based composites forming a modular interlocking system through a computational design towards sustainable architecture(2023) Abdelhady, Omar; Spyridonos, Evgenia; Dahy, HanaaIn a resource-constrained world, raising awareness about the development of eco-friendly alternative materials is critical for ensuring a more sustainable future. Mycelium-based composites (MBC) and their diverse applications are gaining popularity as regenerative, biodegradable, and lightweight alternatives. This research aims to broaden the design potentials of MBC in order to construct advanced systems towards a novel material culture in architecture. The proposed design method intends to explore the design and fabrication of small-scale components of MBC to be applied in modular systems. Mycelium-based modular components are being developed to fulfill the geometrical requirements that allow for the creation of a lightweight system without additional reinforcement. The modules are linked together using an interlocking system. Through computational design and form-finding methods, various arrangements of the modules are achieved. An initial prototype of five modules is created to demonstrate the ability of the system to form various geometrical configurations as a result of the used workflow. The proposed application aims to expand the scope of the use of mycelium-based composites in modular systems and to promote architectural applications using bio-based composite materials.Item Open Access Structural optimization through biomimetic-inspired material-specific application of plant-based natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites (NFRP) for future sustainable lightweight architecture(2020) Sippach, Timo; Dahy, Hanaa; Uhlig, Kai; Grisin, Benjamin; Carosella, Stefan; Middendorf, PeterUnder normal conditions, the cross-sections of reinforced concrete in classic skeleton construction systems are often only partially loaded. This contributes to non-sustainable construction solutions due to an excess of material use. Novel cross-disciplinary workflows linking architects, engineers, material scientists and manufacturers could offer alternative means for more sustainable architectural applications with extra lightweight solutions. Through material-specific use of plant-based Natural Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites (NFRP), also named Biocomposites, a high-performance lightweight structure with topology optimized cross-sections has been here developed. The closed life cycle of NFRPs promotes sustainability in construction through energy recovery of the quickly generative biomass-based materials. The cooperative design resulted in a development that were verified through a 1:10 demonstrator, whose fibrous morphology was defined by biomimetically-inspired orthotropic tectonics, generated with by the fiber path optimization software tools, namely EdoStructure and EdoPath in combination with the appliance of the digital additive manufacturing technique: Tailored Fiber Placement (TFP).Item Open Access Mycomerge : fabrication of mycelium-based natural fiber reinforced composites on a rattan framework(2022) Nguyen, Mai Thi; Solueva, Daniela; Spyridonos, Evgenia; Dahy, HanaaThere is an essential need for a change in the way we build our physical environment. To prevent our ecosystems from collapsing, raising awareness of already available bio-based materials is vital. Mycelium, a living fungal organism, has the potential to replace conventional materials, having the ability to act as a binding agent of various natural fibers, such as hemp, flax, or other agricultural waste products. This study aims to showcase mycelium’s load-bearing capacities when reinforced with bio-based materials and specifically natural fibers, in an alternative merging design approach. Counteracting the usual fabrication techniques, the proposed design method aims to guide mycelium’s growth on a natural rattan framework that serves as a supportive structure for the mycelium substrate and its fiber reinforcement. The rattan skeleton is integrated into the finished composite product, where both components merge, forming a fully biodegradable unit. Using digital form-finding tools, the geometry of a compressive structure is computed. The occurring multi-layer biobased component can support a load beyond 20 times its own weight. An initial physical prototype in furniture scale is realized. Further applications in architectural scale are studied and proposed.Item Open Access Tailored lace : moldless fabrication of 3D bio-composite structures through an integrative design and fabrication process(2021) Lehrecke, August; Tucker, Cody; Yang, Xiliu; Baszynski, Piotr; Dahy, HanaaThis research demonstrates an integrative computational design and fabrication workflow for the production of surface-active fibre composites, which uses natural fibres, revitalises a traditional craft, and avoids the use of costly molds. Fibre-reinforced polymers (FRPs) are highly tunable building materials, which gain efficiency from fabrication techniques enabling controlled fibre direction and placement in tune with load-bearing requirements. These techniques have evolved closely with industrial textile processes. However, increased focus on automation within FRP fabrication processes have overlooked potential key benefits presented by some lesser-known traditional techniques of fibre arrangement. This research explores the process of traditional bobbin lace-making and applies it in a computer-aided design and fabrication process of a small-scale structural demonstrator in the form of a chair. The research exposes qualities that can expand the design space of FRPs, as well as speculates about the potential automation of the process. In addition, Natural Fibre-Reinforced Polymers (NFRP) are investigated as a sustainable and human-friendly alternative to more popular carbon and glass FRPs.Item Open Access Biomimicry as a sustainable design methodology : introducing the ‘Biomimicry for Sustainability’ framework(2022) Ilieva, Lazaara; Ursano, Isabella; Traista, Lamiita; Hoffmann, Birgitte; Dahy, HanaaBiomimicry is an interdisciplinary approach to study and transfer principles or mechanisms from nature to solve design challenges, frequently differentiated from other design disciplines by its particular focus on and promise of sustainability. However, in the biomimicry and biologically inspired design literature, there are varying interpretations of how and whether biomimetic designs lead to sustainable outcomes and how sustainability, nature, and mimesis are conceptualised and engaged in practice. This paper takes a particular focus on the built environment and presents a theoretical overview of biomimicry literature spanning across specific fields, namely architecture, philosophy, sustainability and design. We develop upon conceptual considerations in an effort to contribute to the growing calls in the literature for more reflective discussions about the nuanced relationship between biomimicry and sustainability. We further develop a ‘Biomimicry for Sustainability’ framework that synthesises recent reflective deliberations, as a possible direction for further theorisation of biomimicry, aiming to elaborate on the role of biomimicry as a sustainable design methodology and its potential to cultivate more sustainable human–nature relations. The framework is used as a tool for retrospective analysis, based on literature of completed designs, and as a catalyst for biomimetic design thinking. The objective of this paper is to serve as a point of departure for more active and deeper discussions regarding future biomimetic practice in the context of sustainability and transformational change, particularly within the built environment.Item Open Access Integrating ionic electroactive polymer actuators and sensors into adaptive building skins: potentials and limitations(2020) Neuhaus, Raphael; Zahiri, Nima; Petrs, Jan; Tahouni, Yasaman; Siegert, Jörg; Kolaric, Ivica; Dahy, Hanaa; Bauernhansl, ThomasBuilding envelopes separate the confined interior world engineered for human comfort and indoor activity from the exterior world with its uncontainable climatic forces and man-made immission. In the future, active, sustainable and lightweight building skins are needed to serve as an adaptive interface to govern the building-physical interactions between these two worlds. This article provides conceptual and experimental results regarding the integration of ionic electroactive polymer sensors and actuators into fabric membranes. The ultimate goal is to use this technology for adaptive membrane building skins. These devices have attracted high interest from industry and academia due to their small actuation voltages, relatively large actuation and sensing responses and their flexible and soft mechanical characteristics. However, their complex manufacturing process, sophisticated material compositions and their environmental sensitivity have limited the application range until now. The article describes the potentials and limitations of employing such devices for two different adaptive building functionalities: first, as a means of ventilation control and humidity regulation by embedding small actuated apertures into a fabric membrane, and second, as flexible, energy- and cost-efficient distributed sensors for external load monitoring of such structures. The article focusses on designing, building and testing of two experimental membrane demonstrators with integrated polymer actuators and sensors. It addresses the challenges encountered and draws conclusions for potential future optimization at the device and system level.Item Open Access Agro-fibres biocomposites' applications and design potentials in contemporary architecture : case study: rice straw biocomposites(2015) Dahy, Hanaa; Knippers, Jan (Prof. Dr.-Ing.)Out of awareness of the global environmental factors, sustainability principles, eco-efficiency and architectural needs, an investigation of the straw potentials in building industry is thoroughly carried out in this research. Rice straw (RS) is selected as an example of agricultural plant residues fibres, agro-fibres, which are worldwide available, but still though burnt in huge amounts in open fields causing high potentials loss, described in energy, and fiber-resource destruction in addition to the local air pollution and climate change. Classic straw-bale applications in the building industry do not absorb the available straw amounts and still have many technical and aesthetic drawbacks. Accordingly, it was suggested hereby to apply straw as a main biocomposite ingredient, whether as a fibre-source or as an eco-filler. Three main biocomposite forms of rice straw and organic polymers’ compositions were developed throughout this research. Then they were tested and analyzed for their architectural applications’ possibilities according to their technical properties. The three developed rice straw-based biocomposites provide another aspect of the possibility of applying agro-fibres in sustainable building industry. Fibre-based industries, including fibreboards’ manufacturing and molded natural fibre reinforced composites can depend on straw agro-fibres as a main available and cheap fibre-resource. Hence, cheaper and more environmentally friendly biocomposite products could spread in the architectural applications, reducing the total carbon dioxide footprint and replacing expensive fossil-based and slow renewable wood products that are still widely spread in the markets.