Regenerative Approach Through Circular Design: Potential of Bio-Based Carbon Fiber Composites in Structural Systems of Tall Buildings

Abstract

Carbon fiber composites have gained popularity in various industries, including aerospace, automobile, and sports, for their high strength and performance. In recent years, their unique aesthetic and superior structural properties have made them a desirable building material, leading to discussions around mechanical properties, production techniques, construction methods, recycling potential, and environmental impact in the construction industry. However, the highly sophisticated production methods and specific raw materials required for carbon fiber composites, such as polyacrylonitrile (PAN), pose significant challenges to their widespread acceptance due to high embodied energy. To address the environmental impact of carbon fiber composites, there have been efforts to search for alternative raw materials to produce bio-based carbon fibers. Bio-based carbon fibers are made from lignin, a natural compound found in trees and a waste byproduct of the paper manufacturing industry. Bio-based epoxy resin is also made from biodegradable sources such as linseed oil. These raw materials have proven to be viable candidates for producing carbon composites with high mechanical properties.

This paper investigates the application of bio-based carbon fiber composites as a structural material in tall buildings, focusing on material performance, reuse, and recycling as part of the circular design strategy for tall building structures. Simulation-based studies are conducted on a tall building structural system using carbon fiber composites made with bio-based carbon fiber. Parametric design simulations are performed for selected structural systems to quantify the performance of carbon fiber composites. Finite element analysis (FEA) for structural components investigates the material strength and stiffness requirements, which are used to identify potential applications of recycled carbon fiber composites within the structural systems. The results of the simulations reveal potential ways of using bio-based composites in tall building structural systems. The FEA studies on structural components provide specific opportunities to utilize recycled bio-based carbon fibers with reduced mechanical properties, resulting in a lower embodied carbon for the building structure.