Timber Building Block Modular Assembly

Research Scope

A biological role model was studied to develop a biomimetic application.

The chosen organism was the Scleractinia (corallite), whose polyps growth results in skeleton structures with captivating morphological conditions at the macro, mezzo, and micro levels. The branch derivation of skeletal cavities was of special interest, as these keep track of the polyp growth behavior in response to their environment. Images of skeletons at different amplitudes and biological mechanisms were studied among biologists from the University of Tübingen, providing insights into polyps’ morphological responses to available light, nutrients, wave stresses, and competition.

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Biomimetic Abstraction

The structural principles of the polyp cavities are transferred as self-shaping timber panels assembled into a reinforced hexagonal hollow section. The stacking principle of walls and the connection principle of transversal mural pores shared between cavities are transferred into the lateral connections between modules, resulting in parallel panels being connected via transversely placed carbon fibers. The branching growth principle is transferred into the subdivision and direction of modules at the global scale, where the branching of modules allows for reducing stress and reducing variation between components. Two uses for the system are proposed: the construction of multilevel structures and spanning structures.