Biomimetic optimisation of branched fibre-reinforced composites in engineering by detailed analyses of biological concept generators.
The aim of this study is the biomimetic optimisation of branched fibre-reinforced composites based on the detailed analysis of biological concept generators. The methods include analyses of the functional morphology and biomechanics of arborescent monocotyledons and columnar cacti as well as measurements and modelling of mechanical properties of biomimetic fibre-reinforced composites. The key results show evidence of notch stress reduction by optimised stem-branch-attachment morphology in monocotyledons and columnar cacti. It could be shown that some of these highly interesting properties can be transferred into biomimetic fibre-reinforced composites.
Plant Biomechanics Group Freiburg, Botanic Garden, Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
T
T
Masselter
L
L
Hesse
H
H
Böhm
A
A
Gruhl
H
H
Schwager
J
J
Leupold
M
M
Gude
M
M
Milwich
C
C
Neinhuis
T
T
Speck
D040761:Biomimetic Materials; D029421:Cactaceae / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging