Deformation of bio-composite building elements, Design rules to limit the impact of long term load-effects

Structural components of buildings and civil structures are subjected to stresses due to long-term load-effects and several possible harmful environmental factors. When using bio-composite materials in these structures the effects of these design-factors have to be taken into account. The goal is to be able to make realistic predictions of these effects on the overall structural design of the (building) elements made by composite materials containing bio-based components. Therefore it is necessary not only to understand the mechanism of creep in several environmental conditions, but also to optimize the shape of the structural components to limit the peak-stresses and negative environmental effects. The study will start from the existing design rules of glass fiber and carbon fiber based composites on the one hand and wood-based building components on the other hand. The design of load-bearing (building) elements will be investigated and validated by focusing on bridge-structures. Several (experimental) projects are already realized or are soon to be build. Therefore the timeframe in which the study will take place can be used as an advantage to document current findings, but also to optimize future measurements.