BIO MIMICRY IN CIVIL ENGINEERING

1. A Technical seminar
on
“BIOMIMICRY IN CIVIL
ENGINEERING”
Presented by
Bandekkanavara
Shankaralinga
1VI20CV003
Under the guidance of
Shashikumar V N
Assistant Professor

2. BIOMIMICRY IN CIVIL ENGINEERING 2023 - 24
INTRODUCTION
 Biomimicry is a science of taking inspiration
from nature, its systems, processes, and
elements and then imitating them to solve
human problem in a sustainable manner.
 Bio = the living world, Mimicry = to emulate
 When a product is made with the help of
Biomimicry,
 it is called ‘biomimetic product’
 It can be biomimetic in terms of Form, material, construction, Process
or Function.
 Biological structures are everywhere, at both microscopic and
macroscopic scales.
1

3. BIOMIMICRY IN CIVIL ENGINEERING
2
LEVELS OF BIOMIMICRY
Biomimicry can be applied on three levels.
• Firstly, the natural form of organisms are
used for inspiration. For instance,
mimicking the structure of a seashell could
lead to stronger buildings.
• Secondly, natural processes, for example
chemical processes such as
photosynthesis,
can be mimicked to create more sustainable materials.
• The third level is the ecosystem level. In this level,
entire ecosystems and their functional principles are mimicked.
2023 - 24

4. BIOMIMICRYIN CIVIL ENGINEERING 2023 – 24
APLLICATIONS & CASE STUDY ON BIOMIMICRY
Passive cooling in buildings
 The East-gate Complex, located in
Harare, Zimbabwe, is a commercial
office and shopping complex.
 Inspiration for the ventilation design in
building taken from termite mound.
 Specially designed hooded windows,
variable thickness walls and light
colored paints to reduce heat absorption.
3

5. BIOMIMICRY IN CIVIL ENGINEERING 2023 – 24
 Principle of working: Outside air that is drawn in is either warmed or
cooled by the building mass depending on which is hotter, the
building concrete or the air. It is then vented into the building’s floors
and offices before exiting via chimneys at the top.
 Eastgate’s owners have saved $3.5 million, these savings also trickle
down to the tenants whose rents are 20 percent lower than those of
occupants in the surrounding buildings.
4

6. BIOMIMICRY IN CIVIL ENGINEERING 2023 – 24
OUTCOMES OF BIOMIMICRY
 Structural design: Strength the structures to design lighter and
more resilient bridges and buildings.
 Self-healing materials: Drawing inspiration from organisms like
Termite mold that can regenerate.
 Sustainable infrastructure: To design sustainable drainage
systems, green roofs, and urban landscapes that mimic natural water
cycles and promote biodiversity.
 Adaptive facades: Designing building facades that respond to
environmental changes, inspired by systems like termite mounds.
 5. Energy efficiency: Designing buildings with ventilation systems
inspired by termite mounds or utilizing biomimetic materials for
insulation.
7

7. BIOMIMICRY IN CIVIL ENGINEERING 2023 – 24
CONCLUSION
 The organisms that are alive today are the successful models or the
products of evolution.
 We could learn lot from nature when it comes to solving our challenges
in a sustainable way.
 Today’s modern inventions are the one another are inspiration of living
things.
8

8. BIOMIMICRY IN CIVIL ENGINEERING 2023 – 24
REFERENCES
1.Biomimicry Guild (2007) Innovation Inspired by Nature Work Book,
Biomimicry Guild, April.
2.Vincent, J. F. V., Bogatyrev, O. A., Bogatyrev, N. R., Bowyer, A. &
Pahl, A.-K. (2006) Biomimetics - its practice and theory. Journal of the
Royal Society Interface, April 2006,
3.McDonough, W. & Braungart, M. (2002) Cradle to Cradle -
Remaking the Way We Make Things, New York, North Point Press.
4.Cole, R., Reed, W. & Du Plessis, C. (2007) Friday Theme Session
Panel. AIA 2007 National Convention and Expo. San Antonio, Texas.
5.Baumeister, D. (2007a) Biomimicry Presentation at the University of
Washington College of Architecture. Seattle, USA. 8 May. 9