Waste Fibers in Architecture: Finding New Applications for Short-Fiber Lint in Structural Shell Casting

Lint fibers from paper production.

Lint fibers from paper production

Published March 18, 2016 This content is archived.

S. Davidson (Architecture) and J. Shim (CSEE)

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While this exploratory phase of the research should produce test swatches using a wide variety of fibers, ultimately, one aspect of the research is to find fiber waste produced through industrial processing, that isn’t currently considered very valuable.

This research aims to develop new applications for waste fibers in architecture. The research asks:

  • How can short waste fiber lint be used in the casting of think-shelled or “monocoque” structures; 
  • What types of structural typologies emerge from tests in which lints with different origins and compositions are used to cast test swatches? 
  • What classification system can be developed to describe these structures? 
  • What are some potential “real world” applications for these structures or structural components? 

Paper casting will be used as a first fabrication technique to test the structural potential of various fiber waste and recycled fibers as thin-shell or “monocoque” structures and as cast masses. The range of fibers in this first stage of the research will be intentionally broad, and include materials overlooked in structural and architectural applications, such as cotton linters and linter pulp, recycled fiber lint, recycled hacked cardboard, flax and milkweed, among others. The objective is to connect with industry who process a variety of materials in different forms, and produce cellulose or fiber waste on a consistent basis.  The exploratory research period will focus on:

  • Analyzing the physical properties of the raw material; 
  • Making cast test swatches of approx. 2'x3’ using each material, in various geometries, to test the structural potential (rigidity and sag); 
  • Making larger room-scale spans or spatial enclosures using select materials that demonstrate the most structural integrity in the swatch tests. 
  • Identifying waste fibers created through various industrial processes, making contact with specific facilities with access to these waste fibers and initiating collaboration. 

The proposed project will represent both a new trajectory of material research for architecture and engineering at UB.