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TRR 141:  Biological Design and Integrative Structures. Analysis, Simulation and Implementation in Architecture

Subject Area Construction Engineering and Architecture
Biology
Chemistry
Humanities
Geosciences
Computer Science, Systems and Electrical Engineering
Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
Materials Science and Engineering
Term from 2014 to 2019
Project identifier Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 231064407
 
Final Report Year 2019

Final Report Abstract

The research programme focused on design and construction principles in biology and on their transfer to architecture and building construction. One of key questions of the TRR 141 was: under which conditions does biomimetic research lead to successful results and new insights for technology and biology? Hence, a variety of widely different biological role models was chosen for study and for comparisons of the biomimetic transfer process and the application of reverse biomimetics. The role models differed not only in scale from nano to macro and in materiality from porous to fibre-based, but also in the investigated functionalities from load-bearing capacity to movement or media transport. Some role models followed classic lines of biomimetic research (the exoskeleton of the sea urchin), whereas others addressed new questions (compliant mechanisms based on plant movements or the development of novel architectural concepts based on molecular supporting structures in moss plastids). To cover the full range of possible biomimetic processes, projects were included that were initially motivated by a technological question (the ‘top down’ or ‘technology pull’ approach in biomimetics) plus others that were mainly initiated by biological research (‘bottom up’ or ‘biology push’ approach in biomimetics). Based on this concept, selected biological role models were identified, quantitatively analysed and numerically simulated in different fields: - Mulitfunctionality in porous materials. For damping: sea urchin spines, fruit wall of the coconut and tree bark of the giant sequoia; for transport of heat and mass: Equisetum hyemale and sempervirens leaves. - Adaptivity in fibre-based systems: Gerbera juminosi and others for adaptive stiffness; Aldrovanda vesiculosa and others for plant movements; Physomitrella patens FtsZ for adaptivity on the nano scale. - Load adapted anisotropy: branching in Schefflera arboricola. - Self-formation of mineral shell structures: segmented skeleton of the sand-dollar and periostracum formation of various molluscs. In parallel, biomimetic methodologies have been investigated, further developed and evaluated by above mentioned biological role models. This addresses aspects as scaling, simulation, optimization and fabrication. Scientists from vastly different backgrounds met in TRR 141. Effective communication and the successful exchange of knowledge between the various scientific cultures were of crucial importance. For this reason a glossary of basic terms in constructional/architectural biomimetics was developed in order to facilitate communication between the disciplines. The provision of a contribution to a more sustainable development is a major driving force for biomimetic research and a common goal of all researchers involved in TRR 141. Hence, a Bio-inspired Sustainability Assessment (BiSA) was developed with a special focus on the relationship of ecological, social and economic functions and corresponding burdens. The development of a consistent, bioinspired sustainability concept for the construction sector was evaluated and optimized through the assessment of several A-projects. The most promising role models for technical transfer were identified, fabricated and evaluated in large-scale demonstrators that were exhibited in the Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde, Rosenstein, at the “Baubionik - Biologie beflügelt Architektur” exhibition from Oct 2017 to May 2018. The exhibition was accompanied by a catalogue that was later published in an extended and revised version as a book with the title “Biomimetics for Architecture - Learning from Nature” by Birkhäuser Verlag. This book can be seen as a final report on the first funding period of TRR141.

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