Integrative material and structural design methods for natural fibres filament-wound composite structures: The LivMatS pavilion. (May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gil Pérez, Marta; Guo, Yanan; Knippers, Jan
• Is Part Of: Materials & design. Volume 217(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-05
• Subjects: Coreless filament winding -- Robotic fabrication -- Integrative design -- Fibre-polymer composites -- Flax fibres -- Material characterisation -- Mechanical testing; Materials -- Periodicals; Engineering design -- Periodicals; Matériaux -- Périodiques; Conception technique -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2022.110624
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-1275

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: The LivMatS pavilion is the first natural fibre filament-wound composite structure. The fibre structure is robotically fabricated through coreless filament winding (CFW). The methodology requires an integrative material characterisation and structural design approach. Material characterisation methods are explicitly designed for CFW structures to evaluate different bio-based fibre composites material systems. The fabrication and structural optimisation are achieved by iteratively including small- and full-scale structural testing in the design process. Abstract: Coreless filament winding (CFW) is a novel fabrication technique that utilises fibre-polymer composite materials to efficiently produce filament wound structures in architecture while reducing manufacturing waste. Previous projects have been successfully built with glass and carbon fibre, proving their potential for lightweight construction systems. However, in order to move towards more sustainable architecture, it is crucial to consider replacing carbon fibre's high environmental impact with other material systems, such as natural fibre. This paper evaluates several fibres, resin systems, and their required CFW fabrication adjustments towards designing and fabricating a bio-composite structure: the LivMatS Pavilion. The methods integrate structural design loops with material evaluation and characterisation, including small-scale and large-scale structural testing at progressive stages. The results demonstrate the interactive decision-making process that combines material characterisation with structural simulation feedback, leveraged to evaluate and optimise the structural design. The built pavilion is proof of the first successful coreless filament wound sustainable natural fibres design, and the developed methods and findings open up further research directions for future applications.