| The Green Design movement has been growing in momentum in recent years spurring technological and architectural innovation in the building industry. The contributions of the structural engineering community, however, have been limited. Yet, there are many systems seen in nature that could have applications in structural engineering that may be of a beneficial nature if correctly applied. Thus, a search of the natural world was conducted for specific examples of remarkable structural aspects as witnessed in plants and animals. The termite mound, bee hive, spider web, and the use of fluids structurally were identified as cases of interest. The potential of fiber reinforced composites, as observed in the Bridge-in-a-Backpack(TM), was subsequently discovered.;Utilizing a combination of the various principles identified in the aforementioned points of research, a unique building system was developed, which was intended to reduce the amount of structural material, as well as transportation and construction demands. A feasibility study was conducted to quantify the material quantity savings over a conventional design, if any. Therefore, two computer models were constructed and analyzed. The results of this feasibility demonstrated that the conceptual design is potentially beneficial, although further investigation is necessary.;Moving forward with the proposed building system requires further evaluation. The computer model must be refined and made more encompassing. Eventually, laboratory testing would be necessary to evaluate and further develop the proposed use of fiber reinforced composites. There is also room for expansion of the role of fiber reinforced composites in the building system. A more precise method of estimating cost as well as assessing environmental impact must be developed. |
