LeichtPRO

LEICHTPRO: PULTRUDED LOAD-BEARING LIGHTWEIGHT PROFILES OF NATURAL FIBRE BIOCOMPOSITES

The overall objective of this research project is to develop lightweight profiles and components from renewable raw materials such as hemp and straw in combination with a resin from epoxidised vegetable oil. The physical and mechanical properties of the newly developed materials should approximate the requirements of lightweight profiles and components made of glass-fibre reinforced polymer composites (GFRP). Two types of profiles will be developed in the project: new biocomposite pultruded profiles for load-bearing functions and connecting nodes to be applied in lightweight sustainable circular constructions.

The ultimate goal is to use bio-based lightweight construction to address sustainability in architecture, while saving raw materials, costs and energy in production and maximising the use of renewable bio-resources, especially those that are annually renewable.

The supporting profiles are fabricated by pultrusion, while the connecting nodes are cured by hot pressing compounds of short natural fibres and bio-resins.

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Jun.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. Arch. Hanaa Dahy
Director of Bio-based Materials and Materials Cycles in Architecture (BioMat) Research Group at Institute of Building Structures and Structural Design (ITKE), University of Stuttgart

RESEARCHERS

Piotr Baszynski (BioMat at ITKE)
Evgenia Spyridonos (BioMat at ITKE)

PARTNERS

University of Stuttgart, BioMat/ITKE
Deutsche Institute für Textil und Faserforschung (DITF)
CG TEC GmbH Carbon- und Glasfasertechnik
ZENVISION GmbH

FUNDING

The FNR – Fachagentur für Nachwachsende Rohstoffe e.V.
Bundesministerium für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft (BMEL), FKZ 22027018