Perceiving Grown Bacterial Cellulose: An Aesthetic and Sensorial Evaluation of a Bio-Fabricated Material

Biofabricated and grown materials are an emergent trend in the design discipline. The push towards the re-search of innovative and sustainable material solutions has recently increased since there is a real necessity to find solutions compatible with sustainable production paradigms. In the presented work, bacterial cellulose (BC) from kombucha...

A correlation study to support material characterisation of typical Dutch masonry structures

To date, several different structural representations of masonry are available for use in the numerical and analytical assessment methods, each calling for a distinct level of refinement regarding the material input. To determine material properties, in terms of strength, stiffness, and toughness under compression, bending, and shear loading,...

Material characterisation of existing masonry: A strategy to determine strength, stiffness and toughness properties for structural analysis

Understanding the behaviour of unreinforced masonry (URM) structures requires in-depth insight into the mechanical properties of its constituents and their interaction under compression, tension, and shear loading. As a result, a complete picture of masonry characteristics, accounting for its full nonlinear response and its statistical...

Optical Material Characterisation of Prepreg CFRP for Improved Composite Inspection

Automated fibre layup techniques are often applied for the production of complex structural components. In order to ensure a sufficient component quality, a subsequent visual inspection is necessary, especially in the aerospace industry. The use of automated optical inspection systems can reduce the inspection effort by up to 50 %. Laser line...

Material characterisation of replicated calcium silicate element masonry

Improvements of thermoforming of thermoplastic composites using a collection of rubber particles as a soft mould half: Experiments and modelling

Compression moulding is the ideal candidate for large series production of thermoplastic composite parts. Improvements in this production technique will make it more appealing for those markets that are reluctant to use composites because of their development costs. Unlike other composites processing systems, the compression moulding press is...

High-speed Impact Modelling and Testing of Dyneema Composite

Dyneema (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene – UHMW PE) is a high performance material that is used in many applications. These applications vary from leisure articles such as sails and kite wires to surgical wires and personal protection products. The reason that Dyneema outperforms many other materials is that it possesses a combination...

Design principles of surfacings on orthotropic steel bridge decks

This dissertation describes the research into surfacings of orthotropic steel bridge decks. The motive for this research is the frequently reported problems of this type of structures including cracking and rutting of surfacing materials and fatigue related cracks in the steel plate. An intensive experimental program was carried out on three...