Towards Modular Natural Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Architecture (2020)
article⁄Towards Modular Natural Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Architecture (2020)
abstract⁄Driven by the ecological crisis looming over the 21st century, the construction sector must urgently seek alternative design solutions to current building practices. In the wake of emergent digital technologies and novel material strategies, this research proposes a lightweight architectural solution using natural fiberreinforced polymers NFRP, which elicit interest for their inherent renewability as compared to highperformance yarns. Two associated fabrication techniques are deployed tailored fiber placement TFP and coreless filament winding CFW, both favored for their additive efficiencies granted by strategic material placement. A hypothesis is formed, postulating that their combination can leverage the standalone complexities of molds and frames by integrating them as active structural elements. Consequently, the TFP enables the creation of a 2D stiffnesscontrolled preform to be bent into a permanent scaffold for winding rigid 3D fiber bodies via CFW. A proof of concept is generated via the smallscale prototyping and testing of a stool, with results yielding a design of 1 kg capable of carrying 100 times its weight. Laying the groundwork for a scaledup architectural proposal, the prototype instigates alterations to the process, most notably the favoring of a modular global design and lapped preform technique. The research concludes with a discussion on the resulting technoimplications for automation, deployment, material life cycle, and aesthetics, rekindling optimism towards future sustainable practices.
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| Year |
2020 |
| Authors |
Cutajar, Sacha; Costalonga Martins, Vanessa; van der Hoven, Christo; Baszynski, Piotr; Dahy, Hanaa. |
| Issue |
ACADIA 2020: Distributed Proximities / Volume I: Technical Papers |
| Pages |
564-573. |
| Library link |
N/A |
| Entry filename |
towards-modular-natural-fiber-reinforced-polymer |
