Reevaluating the materials that shape our built environment holds significant importance for sustainable construction. This research introduces newly developed natural fibre pultruded profiles, composed of flax fibres...
Reevaluating the materials that shape our built environment holds significant importance for sustainable construction. This research introduces newly developed natural fibre pultruded profiles, composed of flax fibres and bio-resin, customised for specific properties and targeted applications. Engineered to withstand both bending and compression loads, these profiles have been subjected to rigorous mechanical testing to demonstrate their compression and flexural strength, as well as flexibility. The emphasis lies on the bottom-up design approach, guiding the creation of applications suitable for this innovative material in various lightweight structures. The paper presents a series of case studies showcasing the use of biocomposite profiles in diverse design and structural contexts. The initial focus was on active-bending structures, highlighting the material’s flexibility, showcased at a ten-metre span structure, the first large-scale demonstrator. However, given the material’s versatile properties, it is suitable for a wide range of other applications. Key case studies discussed include reciprocal, tensegrity and deployable structures, as well as modular planar or space frame systems. These profiles offer a sustainable and versatile alternative to traditional materials and composites, providing innovative and eco-friendly construction solutions while contributing to industry sustainability goals.
Material selection is essential for advancing sustainability in construction. biocomposites contribute significantly to raising the awareness of materials derived from biomass. This paper explores the design developme...
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Electro-active shape memory composites have recently gained interest for their ability to return to predefined shapes through Joule heating, offering more controllable alternatives to conventional thermal activation. ...
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Electro-active shape memory composites have recently gained interest for their ability to return to predefined shapes through Joule heating, offering more controllable alternatives to conventional thermal activation. However, most existing research is limited to small-scale applications. This study explores the integration of continuous natural fiber-reinforced epoxy-based shape memory polymer biocomposites (SMPBCs) with embedded resistance heating wires for mechanically enhanced, electro-activated self-shaping architectural applications. SMPBC properties were characterised through dynamic mechanical analysis and tensile testing across different fiber orientations. The results emphasise the critical influence of fiber design in optimising mechanical and thermomechanical properties while achieving efficient shape memory behaviour. Guided by structural simulations, continuous flax fibers and Nichrome wires were strategically embedded within SMPBCs to develop an efficient, scalable actuation system. Rigid-folding and curved-folding prototypes were investigated for their fabrication viability and functionality in multifunctional applications. The rigid-folding prototype achieved a 70 % shape recovery ratio (R r ) and 99 % shape fixity (R f ) using 12 V. A full-scale curved-folding prototype, activated at 100 V, demonstrated 99 %-83 % R r for façade applications, while the furniture application reached 94 %, both maintaining 99 % Rf. These findings highlight the potential of Joule-heated SMPBCs for self-actuating architectural components, paving the way for more responsive, adaptable, and energy-efficient design solutions.
Rising sea levels and stormwater flooding increasingly threaten ecosystems like wetlands, exacerbating urban sustainability challenges. Urban Living Labs and NBS propose decentralised, community-driven approaches emph...
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Rising sea levels and stormwater flooding increasingly threaten ecosystems like wetlands, exacerbating urban sustainability challenges. Urban Living Labs and NBS propose decentralised, community-driven approaches emphasising resilience, circularity, symbiosis , and regeneration . This study examines Freetown Christiania, a pioneering community-led urban laboratory and countercultural enclave within Copenhagen’s socio-technical-ecological systems, as it aligns SDGs within planetary boundaries. We analyse Christiania’s urban niche using participatory observation and sociotechnical frameworks—including Actor-network Theory, the Multi-Level Perspective, and Sociotechnical Imaginaries. We investigate NBS innovations, such as reed bed systems, constructed wetlands , green roofs, and green-blue infrastructure, which exemplify Christiania’s integrated urban water management—innovations reshaping Copenhagen’s grey infrastructure path dependency, driven by Danish agendas and Sino-European sponge city partnerships. Identifying key actor s, drivers, barriers, and scenarios, our thematic analysis codes problems, interests, and strategies to articulate a proposal for expanding Christiania’s NBS niche s through urban planning and governance. Findings highlight Christiania’s contributions to NBS in wastewater treatment, habitat preservation, biodiversity monitoring, and sustainability ideology. The Freetown bridges community-led innovations with municipal and international strategies, positioning itself as a potential pilot for further integrating socio-technical, techno-economic, socio-ecological , and institutional design approaches to urban and coastal sustainability. We propose a replicable multi-criteria methodology for territorial transition s in Copenhagen, the Baltic, and globally. based upon IUCN and DGNB standards, we outline criteria for urban NBS proposals developed with Christiania’s Building Office and local stakeholders. These criteria inform scenario planning in our
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