Fibre Reinforced Plant Organs as Inspiration for Carbon Fibre Reinforced Concrete Constructions
In sub-project A03, plant organs and structures are investigated in order to derive inspiration for novel carbon reinforced concrete constructions. The sub-project is divided into two strands: the investigation of peltate leaves and the investigation of shoot-root transitions.
Characterisation of the petiole-lamina-transition zone
Aim of this subproject is the anatomical, morphological and biomechanical characterisation of the petiole-lamina-transition zone in peltate leaves, meaning leaves with the petiole inserted centrally or eccentrically on the underside of the lamina. We focus on the comparative analysis of fibre course and orientation at the petiole-lamina-junction of herbaceous, short-lived leaves. On one hand representatives, similar in morphology but different in size and weight, will be examined. On the other hand representatives with large-scale leaves with different morphology will be studied in terms of various structural principles in the junction between petiole and lamina.
With the goal to serve as a biological inspiration for the development of new carbon concrete components, the analysis of these principles focuses on the application of force, damping behavior at the junctions and fibre-matrix-connection.

Characterization of root-stem-junctions
The aim of the subproject is the anatomical, morphological and biomechanical characterization of root-stem-junctions in fast growing and lightly or non-lignified plants, especially for aerial prop roots. The emphasis is on plants with either a hollow structure or a core of non-loadbearing tissue. The supporting tissues are thus situated on the outer regions of the shoot. These principles will be investigated for the use in carbon reinforced concrete structures with a focus on force transmission, dampening characteristics in the knot and fiber-matrix transition.
Of additional interest is the adaptive growth of selected plants. This happens as a response to the increased self load during natural growth as well as under external influences such as wind loads or inclined growth. These adaptation strategies will serve as inspiration for the development of carbon reinforced concrete structures.


Scientists
![Prof. Dr. rer. nat. habil. Christoph Neinhuis [Translate to English:] Prof. Dr. rer. nat. habil. Christoph Neinhuis](/fileadmin/_processed_/5/c/csm_A_Neinhuis_Quadratisch_c3d19e4f50.jpg)
D-01062 Dresden
![Dr. rer. nat. Thea Lautenschläger [Translate to English:] Dr. rer. nat. Thea Lautenschläger](/fileadmin/_processed_/3/b/csm_A_Lautenschlaeger_Quadratisch_a6a11542ad.jpg)
D-01062 Dresden
![Master of Science Annabell Rjosk [Translate to English:] Annabell Rjosk, Master of Science](/fileadmin/_processed_/f/e/csm_A_Rjosk_quadratisch_4e4a82417d.jpg)
D-01062 Dresden
![Master of Science Bennett Pauls [Translate to English:] Bennett Schroeder, Master of Science](/fileadmin/_processed_/6/d/csm_A_Schroeder_Quadratisch_ba4d8758b6.jpg)
D-01062 Dresden
Cooperations
[Translate to English:] Publikationen
Wunnenberg, J., Rjosk, A., Neinhuis, C., Lautenschläger, T. (2021). Strengthening structures in the petiole-lamina junction of peltate leaves. Biomimetics 6(2): 25.
Rjosk, A., Neinhuis, C., Lautenschläger, T. (2022). Anatomy and Biomechanics of Peltate Begonia Leaves—Comparative Case Studies. Plants 11: 3297.
Vorträge und Poster | Oral presentations and posters
Macek, D.; Holthusen, H.; Rjosk, A.; Ritzert, S.; Lautenschläger, T.; Neinhuis, C.; Simon, JW.; Reese, S. (2022) A constitutive model for modeling the mechanical behavior of the peltate leaf of Stephania japonica (Menispermaceae) oral presentation at: 92nd Annual Meeting of the International Association of Applied Mathematics and Mechanics, 15.–19.08.2022 in Aachen
Pauls, B.; Hesse, L.; Lautenschläger, T.; Neinhuis, C. (2023) Aerial root insertion in stems of Epipremnum aureum - a model for fiber reinforced junctions poster at: 10. Bionik-Kongress, 12./13.05.2023 in Bremen
Pauls, B.; Lautenschläger, T.; Neinhuis, C. (2022) Strength and failure mode of the junction between stem and aerial roots of Hylocereus undatus poster at: 10th International Plant Biomechanics Conference, 21.–26.08.2022 in Lyon (France)
Pauls, B.; Platen, J.; Kaliske, M.; Lautenschläger, T.; Neinhuis, C. (2023) Plant Growth as Inspiration for Novel Carbon Concrete Components poster at: 10. Bionik-Kongress, 12./13.05.2023 in Bremen
Ritzert, S.; Holthusen, H.; Macek, D.; Rjosk, A.; Lautenschläger, T.; Neinhuis, C.; Reese, S. (2023) Modeling technique for petiole-lamina connections of peltate leaves in: ECCOMAS 7th Young Investigators Conference YIC, 19.–21.06.2023 in Porto (Portugal, proceedings in preparation)
Rjosk, A.; Neinhuis, C.; Lautenschläger, T. (2022) Anatomy and biomechanics of peltate Begonia leaves oral presentation at: 10th International Plant Biomechanics Conference, 21.–26.08.2022 in Lyon (France)
Rjosk, A.; Ritzert, S.; Macek, D.; Friese, D.; Neef, T.; Mechtcherine, V.; Cherif, C.; Reese, S.; Neinhuis, C.; Lautenschläger, T. (2023) A new approach to construction: using peltate leaves as inspiration in the design of novel carbon fibre reinforced concrete building components oral presentation at: 10. Bionik-Kongress, 12.-13.05.2023 in Bremen (proceedings in preparation)
Student works in funding phase 1
Morgenstern, Tom (2021). Anatomische und biomechanische Untersuchung von Blättern peltater Arten. Bachelor thesis.
Calderon Barrientos, Rodrigo Fernando (2021). Morphologische, anatomische und mechanische Untersuchung der Luftwurzeln von Epipremnum aureum. Bachelor thesis.
Kupfer, Alexandra (2022). Untersuchung der Methode zur indirekten Turgorbestimmung bei Petioli peltater Blätter. Bachelor thesis.