09. BIO-NFCS - NATURAL FIBER AND BIO-RESINS.

06. Layers+

Research Pavilion

ARCH 733 | Instr, Laia Mogas-Soldevila

| Spring 22 | Collaboration Project bath

Fiber-reinforced polymer matrix has good properties and superior advantages of natural fiber over synthetic fibers in terms of its relatively low weight, low cost, less damage to processing equipment, good relative mechanical properties such as tensile modulus and flexural modulus, the improved surface finish of molded parts composite, renewable resources, being abundant, flexibility during processing, biodegradability, and minimal health hazards. A bio-resin is a resin that derives some or all of its constituent monomers from biological sources. Today’s sources are plant-based, usually corn or soybean by-products from bio-diesel fuel refinement. Other candidates include sugar cane, sugar beets, potatoes, lignocellulose, whey, and algae.

We propose a research opportunity focusing on using natural fiber composites as structural elements. We propose executing the proposal in multiple natural conditions in multiple climatic zones for over 5 years to observe and analyze how the composite panels adapt to the ambient conditions. This research proposal aims to study the behavior of such panels in nature and to further propose amendments in the design process to make the design of natural fiber-based panels in economically weaker countries costeffective.

The scope of the research is to test out the fabrication of natural fiber-based composite panels in different climatic conditions around the globe. To start off, the first chosen site is in South America, using Flax fiber and AESO soy-based resin.

Feeding bre + resin bath

Detach the axes of framework

Detach the axes of

Curing of panel

Assembly of nal form

Fibre plant cultivation