Biomimetic optimisation of branched fibre-reinforced composites in engineering by detailed analyses of biological concept generators

Abstract

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.

Branching morphology, vascular bundle arrangement and ontogenetic development in leaf insertion zones and ramifications of three arborescent Araliaceae species

“…Based on biological concept generators, such as Araliaceae ramifications, we aim to develop novel bio-inspired fiber-reinforced branched plastic hulls for concrete filling in building constructions (Born et al 2016), similar to the manufacture of other hollow branched fiber-reinforced structures (Milwich et al 2006;Masselter et al 2016;Schwager et al 2013). The biomimetic abstraction of the arrangement, number and insertion points of fibers emerging from a main into a subordinate axis of biological concept generators, such as the investigated Araliaceae genera, offer a high potential application for optimizing fiber-reinforced branched braiding structures in architecture and other fields of technology (Born et al 2016).…”

“…ontogenetic phases and numerous optimized stem-branch attachments have evolved to meet these challenging demands. The analysis of the morphology, anatomy and biomechanics of botanical ramifications has become of increasing interest in recent years (Mattheck 1991;Niklas 1992;Burgert and Jungnikl 2004;Achim et al 2006;Tomlinson et al 2005;Müller et al 2006;Jungnikl et al 2009;Masselter et al , 2015Masselter et al , 2016Theckes et al 2011;Müller et al 2013;Schwager et al 2013;Haushahn et al 2014). Comprehending the development of botanical ramifications and identifying the central concepts of their structure also allow for biomimetic implementations into technical fiberreinforced materials.…”

“…Lignified vascular bundles in dicotyledons are mostly arranged in a distinct vascular cylinder from which they proceed into the branch (Shigo 1985;Slater and Harbinson 2010) and are not distributed in a parenchymatous matrix, as for example, shown in Dracaena (Haushahn et al 2014;Hesse et al 2016;Masselter et al 2016). Nevertheless, the morphology and ontogenetic development of a coherent vascular system from a main stem into a side axis in dicotyledons is of high interest in the context of novel structures to be used in fiber-reinforced materials, as it often involves the contribution of various vascular bundle derivatives (Zimmermann and Tomlinson 1972;Larson 1983Larson , 1984Larson , 1986aTomlinson et al 2005;Schwager et al 2015) and may result in conspicuous branching morphologies, such as in the Araliaceae genus Schefflera (Tomlinson et al 2005).…”

A qualitative analysis of the bud ontogeny of Dracaena marginata using high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging

“…In the past, the gained knowledge on the mechanical properties of branchings was, however, often based on theoretical considerations (using simulations 6 , 11 ) and two-dimensional analyses of the branching regions (by deformation analysis and anatomical evaluations of thin sections 1 , 3 , 13 – 15 ). To overcome this limitation, a new method was developed on the basis of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) enabling a non-invasive and non-destructive three-dimensional in vivo imaging of the branch-stem-attachments in Dracaena marginata 2 , 4 , 16 . While MRI is not a new imaging method in plant sciences 17 – 20 , its potential has been underestimated in the field of functional anatomy and biomechanics up to now.…”

“…On the basis of MRI, it recently became possible to detect a load-adapted placement of mechanical relevant tissues within the branch-stem-attachment region in D . marginata by repetitively imaging a branch of an intact living plant under unloaded and subsequently under loaded conditions 2 , 16 . Hesse et al .…”