Branched natural fibrous composites for improved technical components

该项目的主要目标是开发结构优化的分枝纤维复合材料结构，作为受分层组织的分枝植物结构启发而具有高承载能力的轻质建筑构件。这些元素的生物作用模型是具有明显纤维基质结构的选定植物物种的分支，在各种静态和动态载荷下的生物进化过程中得到优化。在项目第1、2阶段可以看出，龙树(Dracaena spp.)不同树种(树状单子叶)和分枝柱状仙人掌具有较高的技术适应潜力。进一步分析分支区域的层次组成(不同层次上分支区域的结构和多尺度力学，纤维/木束和纤维的排列和取向，木材纤维的内部结构)，并通过现代最先进的材料测试和模拟技术评估纤维/木束和纤维特定排列的力学意义，以便调整和修改在第一阶段和第二阶段开发的定制制造工艺，并进一步发展受生物模型启发的创新纤维化合物结构的制造。

The major goal of this project is the development of structurally optimized, branched fibrous compound structures for technical use as lightweight construction elements with a high load-bearing capacity inspired by hierarchically organized, branched plant structures. The biological role models for these elements are the ramifications of selected plant species with a pronounced fibre-matrix-structure, optimised in the course of biological evolution under various kinds of static and dynamic loads. It could be shown in the project phases 1 and 2 that stem-branch attachments in Dragon trees (Dracaena spp.) and different Freycinetia-species (both arborescent monocotyledons) and branched columnar cacti possess a high potential for transfer into technical adaptation. Further analysis of the hierarchical composition at the branching regions (structuring and multiscale mechanics of branching regions on various hierarchical levels, arrangement and orientation of fibre-/wood-bundles and fibres, internal structure of the wood fibres) and evaluation of the mechanical significance of the specific arrangement of fibre-/wood-bundles and fibres by means of modern state-of-the-art material testing and simulation techniques, allowed to adjust and modify the customised manufacturing processes developed in phase 1 and 2, and to further develop the manufacture of innovative fibrous compound structures inspired by biological models.