As a Master of Architectural Technology student, Samanvita took a special interest in the design concept of circular façade cladding. Are there renewable alternatives to traditional materials such as brick, steel and aluminum? “Of course there are historical examples of clay cladding, and timber cladding is also common, but I was looking for a panel that could be applied to cladding systems with complex geometries, a material that could be modified.
Samanwita found that the buildings that have the greatest environmental impact are often tall structures with lots of glass and aluminum panels. “Some of the properties that make aluminum so popular are its strength and durability. It is also easy to produce and recycle.” The best part is that the aluminum sheet material is able to bend along a single curve and back into a flat plate without becoming deformed. . “We engineers call this “developability.” This is a quality that our existing bio-based sheets do not have.”
Concerned about durability issues with bio-based materials, she decided to try to develop a material that would address this shortcoming. “Do we really need the cladding to be as strong as aluminum?” After all, there would be no need to mine the raw materials and produce the industrial metal used for cladding if there was a bio-based alternative that could meet the functional needs. “Just because it doesn’t exist doesn’t mean it can’t be created.”
Where can I find suitable mechanical properties? Read related articles Samanvita came across biocomposites reinforced with natural fibers. Taking into account European resources and supply chains, it combined flax as a fiber material with a thermoplastic resin made entirely from bio-based materials. “This bioplastic is made from renewable biomass. And flax is the oldest fiber in circulation in the world, usually in the form of flax. It’s very durable.”
To understand how to design the product she wanted, she studied how industrial panels are made. Following a similar procedure, including hydraulic infusion in an autoclave, she then worked with a biocomposites company to produce the laminate. “I was able to test its performance at the School of Mechanical Engineering on campus. I carried out mechanical tests to see if the sheet could be bent and then reshaped without deforming. And so it was. The material retained its structural integrity.” The material was also applied outdoors, giving it the shape of a building. The quality of the surface is affected by moisture, wind and sunlight, but the material retains mechanical strength. “This means it can be recycled and used again.”
The natural raw materials used in the composites store biochar: carbon from the soil. So, as with wood, when the material is stored it can act as a carbon sink. What about the carbon footprint left by production and transportation? “My mentor advised me to carry out a life cycle assessment so that I could compare the environmental impact of this material with aluminum sheet material. It turns out that the biocomposite sheet has much less impact.”
When asked what she considered the best part of her research, Samanvita made it clear. “This bio-composite can be produced anywhere in the world using local bio-resins and fibers of similar quality from local crops. In India it will be jute, not flax. This method is low-tech and production can be easily scaled up. “The next research challenge,” she suggests, “will be to increase the lifespan of the material so that if it is recycled, its impact will be further reduced.
Meanwhile, Samanvita found a job as a materials engineer at a company that helped her conduct case studies. “We design building envelopes for high-rise office buildings, so this place is right on my street.”
The full article is currently embargoed, but will eventually be available at this link:
Samanvita Ghosh is one of the five winners of the 2022-23 Circularity of the Built Environment Award. Her thesis project was selected as the winner in the Materials and Components (Tilman Klein Award) category.
The Alumni Award for Circularity in the Built Environment recognizes BK alumni for their contributions to the transition to a circular built environment. These annual awards are designed to stimulate research and innovation in waste management in the built environment.
The Circular in the Built Environment Award is an initiative of the Center for the Circular Built Environment, Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment, TU Delft. Also read the stories of four other winners.
Winner of the Circular Prize in the Materials and Components (Tilman Klein Award) category of the 2022-2023 Built Environment Awards.
Post time: Jun-29-2024