Back to materials of the future

The postdoc candidate, Giuliana Scuderi, will strengthen the connection between the research group Biobased Buildings (BB), (collaboration between Avans University of Applied Sciences and HZ University of Applied Sciences (HZ), and the Civil Engineering bachelor programme (CE) of HZ.
The proposed research aims at deepening the knowledge about the mechanical properties of biobased materials for the application in the structural and infrastructural sectors. The research is relevant for the professional field, which is looking for safe and sustainable alternatives to traditional building materials (such as lignin asphalt, biobased panels for bridge constructions, etc.).
The study of the mechanical behaviour of traditional materials (such as concrete and steel) is already part of the CE curriculum, but the ambition of this postdoc is that also BB principles are applied and visible. Therefore, from the first year of the programme, the postdoc will develop a biobased material science line and will facilitate applied research experiences for students, in collaboration with engineering and architectural companies, material producers and governmental bodies. Consequently, a new generation of environmentally sensitive civil engineers could be trained, as the labour market requires.
The subject is broad and relevant for the future of our built environment, with possible connections with other fields of study, such as Architecture, Engineering, Economics and Chemistry. The project is also relevant for the National Science Agenda (NWA), being a crossover between the routes “Materialen – Made in Holland” and “Circulaire economie en grondstoffenefficiëntie”.
The final products will be ready-to-use guidelines for the applications of biobased materials, a portfolio of applications and examples, and a new continuous learning line about biobased material science within the CE curriculum.
The postdoc will be mentored and supervised by the Lector of the research group and by the study programme coordinator. The personnel policy and job function series of HZ facilitates the development opportunity.

Eindrapportage

Together with professionals and companies, we have investigated the possibilities to increase the use of biobased materials in the construction industry. The research focused on the use of a high percentage of miscanthus fibers in concrete mixtures. The natural fibers were subjected to several pretreatments. Research has proven that with the optimum amount of cement, water, sand, gravel and miscanthus fibers, it is possible to obtain a construction material with properties comparable to traditional concrete. The new material, called “Viberscrete” has also optimal thermal and acoustic properties. The main advantage of using natural fibers within the mixture, is the possibility to reduce the amount of cement in the mixture, with consequent decrease of environmental impact. Applications were envisioned and advised for this new material, such as silent walls and insulation panels. Graduation students, first- and second-year students, and visiting students were involved in the research and collaborated in setting up the experiments, performing the tests and measuring, and in analyzing the results. The students have also performed market researches to evaluate the business case around this material and to direct the selection of the most convenient applications.