How does biomimicry inspire innovative solutions in your structural engineering projects?

Nature has evolved over the years with the best possible resilience wherever needed as evolution is mandatory for survival purpose. Design styled after nature are most times very resilient, environmental friendly and efficient. Biomimicry has provided us with great solutions in design. A crucial example is Burj Khalifa whose his design is styled after the pattern of naturally occurring plant called Spider Lily. Honeycomb "interlocking" structure has been adopted pattern for geosynthetic ground stabilisation and to achieve light weight structure in aerospace. Also, biomimicry has helped to develop great aerodynamically efficient shapes by copying the structure of birds and trees / plant that are resilient in windy condition.

Biomimicry is a powerful and beautiful subject to explore, for all ages and disciplines. Materials, colors, adaptation, optimization. Bringing biomimicry to life has proven successful in many ways and many industries, implants, aerospace composites, light refraction. material optimization. Often times technology and resources costs exceed business application ROI and can be left behind. I hope the advent of AI will favor such studies driven by limit carbon emission and augment life quality. Biomimicry is one of the topic I'm most passionate about and also the subject of my PhD., Structural Form Finding was the subject of my Ph.D. happy to share papers if needed.

Optimized Structural Designs: Efficiency and Strength: Nature often achieves remarkable efficiency and strength with minimal resources. By studying structures like bones, shells, and plant stems, engineers can develop designs that optimize material use and enhance structural integrity. Lightweight Structures: For instance, the hollow bones of birds inspire lightweight yet strong frameworks, leading to more efficient material use in bridges, towers, and buildings.

As for engineering, some of these ideas are being adopted in cladding materials, partitions, and false ceilings. Potentially, the use of paneled beams and similar structures is coming from applying the same concept. I have also seen this in marine works, where precast concrete is used to form natural shapes to foster biodiversity. I believe this idea can be implemented using 3D printing, which enables achieving and forming complex shapes.

To inspire towards biomimicry, we need to understand our past. Nature has shown us glimpses of our past all over the world where mankind has once lived in equilibrium with nature. The blueprints are out there, and some left us puzzled and amazed. I’m inspired by scientist and author Janine Benyus in her 1997 book Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature.

Potentially, more research is needed to understand the behavior of these materails, its capacity, and its performance under various loading conditions. However, significant advancements have been made in the past ten years related to applying this concept ,a good example is the huge shades and halls built at Dubai EXPO by applying the concept of biomimicry.

The design of a nearly zero-energy passive building involving solar passive strategies in the design and construction is an example of biomimicry. For instance, passive solar heating/cooling, building daylighting, and provision for rainwater harvesting is similar to the process of photosynthesis, whereby plants transforms light energy into chemical energy for it's nutrients. The solar passive building however, requires a knowledge of solar geometry, local climate, and window technology. The passive solar design strategies should be selected based on the climatic condition of the project site.

Energy Efficiency Biomimicry, or drawing inspiration from nature’s designs and processes, can lead to significant advancements in energy efficiency within structural engineering projects. Here’s how: Natural Ventilation Systems: Termite Mounds: The natural ventilation systems found in termite mounds can inspire building designs that optimize airflow and temperature regulation without relying heavily on mechanical systems. These structures maintain consistent internal temperatures through a network of vents and tunnels, reducing the need for artificial heating and cooling. Passive Cooling: By mimicking these principles, engineers can design buildings that use natural ventilation for passive cooling.

En tant qu'ingénieur structure, l'observation de la nature offre des perspectives précieuses pour renforcer la résilience des constructions. Par exemple, la structure flexible mais robuste du bambou, qui peut se balancer dans les vents forts sans se briser, inspire la conception de batiments capables de mieux résister aux tremblements de terre et aux ouragans. En imitant les propriétés du bambou, comme sa capacité à dissiper l'énergie, nous pouvons développer des infrastructures capables de se déformer sans subir de dommages majeurs. Cette approche biomimétique est cruciale pour créer des batiments plus s?rs et plus efficaces, répondant aux défis posés par les catastrophes naturelles.

Ailes d'oiseaux pour la conception de gratte-ciels :** Les formes aérodynamiques des ailes d'oiseaux inspirent la conception de gratte-ciels pour réduire la résistance au vent et aussi pour les piles du pont sous l'eau. Les nids d'abeilles inspirent la création de matériaux en nid d'abeille pour leur légèreté et leur résistance. Ces structures sont utilisées dans diverses applications, de l'aérospatiale à la construction, pour optimiser la performance. Les coquilles de mollusques, quant à elles, sont des modèles pour des matériaux composites et des structures légères mais solides. Cette conception biomimétique permet de créer des constructions robustes tout en minimisant le poids, offrant ainsi une solution durable et efficace.