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Bio-Based Composite Spatial Shell Structures

Authors

Mostafa Akbari, Farzaneh Oghazian, Ji Yoon Bae, Felecia Davis, Laia Mogas-Soldevila, Masoud Akbarzadeh

Project Date

2022-2023

Acknowledgments

This research was partially funded by University Research Foundation (URF) to Dr. Laia Mogas- Soldevila. This research was also funded by the National Science Foundation CAREER Award (NSF CAREER-1944691 CMMI) and the National Science Foundation Future Eco Manufacturing Research Grant (NSF, FMRG-CMMI 2037097) to Dr. Masoud Akbarzadeh.

Description

This research investigates the possibility of fabricating shell-based cellular structures using knitting techniques. Shellular Funicular Structures are two-manifold single-layer structures that can be designed in the context of graphic statics. These are efficient compression/tension-only structures that have been designed for a certain boundary condition. Although the shellular funicular structures are efficient geometries in transferring the forces, the fabrication process is challenging due to the geometric complexity of the structure. Since Shellular structures comprise a single surface, they are suitable candidates to be fabricated using knitting technique, a method by which yarn is manipulated to create a textile or fabric. Using knitting approach, one can fabricate shellular structures with minimum production waste in which the knit can work as a formwork for actual structure or act as a composite structure combined with bio-based resin. This research proposes a workflow to fabricate shellular structures using knitting that can be scaled up for industrial purposes.