The Skeleton of the Sand Dollar as a Biological Role Model for Segmented Shells in Building Construction: A Research Review

Grun, Tobias B.; Dehkordi, Layla Koohi Fayegh; Schwinn, Tobias; Sonntag, Daniel; Scheven, Malte von; Bischoff, Manfred; Knippers, Jan; Menges, Achim; Nebelsick, James H.

doi:10.1007/978-3-319-46374-2_11

Cited by 10 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…Echinoids of the order Clypeasteroida have become the focus of structural research as their often flattened tests demonstrate a high strength and robustness [ 11 , 12 – 16 ]. The stable nature of these tests is not only reflected in the abundances of complete test or their stable fragments in recent environments [ 15 , 17 – 19 ], but also in the rich fossil record [ 14 , 15 , 20 – 24 ]. The structural integrity of the clypeasteroid tests is a result of the plate arrangement [ 16 ], plate interlocking, and internal support systems [ 13 , 15 , 16 , 18 , 25 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The tests of clypeasteroid echinoids are thus of interest of biomimetic research, which aims to identify structurally performative constructions that potentially can be transferred into architectural and engineering disciplines. The mechanisms and principles of such structures are used to improve technical multi-element constructions [ 14 ]. The structural design of the echinoid’s trabecular system is here analyzed for the first time in-depth using x-ray micro-computed tomography and is interpreted in the context of engineering concepts.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Structural design of the echinoid’s trabecular system

Grun

Nebelsick

2018

PLoS ONE

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The multi-plated skeleton of echinoids is made of the stereom, a light-weight construction which resembles a micro-beam framework. Although the two-dimensional design of the stereom has been studied, its spatial architecture is only little known. It is, however, imperative to understand the spatial architecture of the trabecular system in order to interpret its structural principles of this load-bearing construction. The echinoid’s trabecular system is thus analyzed in-depth with respect to eight topological descriptors. The echinoid’s plates are divided into two regions, the center of which consists of an unordered stereom, and the margin which consists of an ordered stereom. The eight trabecular descriptors indicate that the basal topology of the two plate regions are similar. The trabecular system predominantly consists of short and stocky trabeculae that show little tortuosity. The majority of trabeculae intersect in a 3N configuration, where three trabeculae intersect in one common node. Trabeculae in the 3N configuration intersect in an angle of around 120° resulting in a planar and triangular motif. These planar elements, when arranged in an angular off-set, can resist multi-dimensional loads. Results also show that the trabecular orientation perpendicular to the plate’s surface is at an angle of 60°. The trabecular orientation in the plate’s horizontal plane is directional. Both trabecular orientations reflect a construction which is capable of resisting applied loads and can distribute these loads over the entire skeleton. The spatial architecture of the echinoid’s trabecular system is thus considered to be a performative light-weight and load-bearing system.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Structural design of the echinoid’s trabecular system

Grun

Nebelsick

2018

PLoS ONE

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“…In architecture and engineering sciences, structural configurations are obviously of major interest with domes, for example, demonstrating a remarkable strength. In modern architecture, in which building conventions underlie stringent economic constraints, framework and material-intensive domes have often been replaced by cost-efficient, but less performative grid-shells covered by pre-fabricated, planar elements [ 9 , 10 ]. Such grid-based constructions, in which building parameters, e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Segmented shells thus represent economically optimized structures by using pre-fabricated elements [ 10 ]. The multi-plated echinoid skeleton can be used as a biological role model for developing constructional principles that can be transferred into biomimetic solutions for improved segmented designs [ 9 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Structural design of the minute clypeasteroid echinoidEchinocyamus pusillus

Grun

Nebelsick

2018

R. Soc. open sci.

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The clypeasteroid echinoid skeleton is a multi-plated, light-weight shell construction produced by biomineralization processes. In shell constructions, joints between individual elements are considered as weak points, yet these echinoid skeletons show an extensive preservation potential in both Recent and fossil environments. The remarkable strength of the test is achieved by skeletal reinforcement structures and their constructional layouts. Micro-computed tomography and scanning electron microscopy are used for microstructural and volumetric analyses of the echinoid's skeleton. It is shown that strengthening mechanisms act on different hierarchical levels from the overall shape of the skeleton to skeletal interlocking. The tight-fitting and interlocking plate joints lead to a shell considered to behave as a monolithic structure. The plate's architecture features distinct regions interpreted as a significant load-transferring system. The internal support system follows the segmentation of the remaining skeleton, where sutural layout and stereom distribution are designed for effective load transfer. The structural analysis of the multi-plated, yet monolithic skeleton of Echinocyamus pusillus reveals new aspects of the micro-morphology and its structural relevance for the load-bearing behaviour. The analysed structural principles allow E. pusillus to be considered as a role model for the development of multi-element, light-weight shell constructions.

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