Self-organized mycelium biocomposites: Effects of geometry and laterite composition on compressive behavior

Precious O Etinosa; Ali A Salifu; Salifu T Azeko; John D Obayemi; Emmanuel O Onche; Toyin Aina; Winston O Soboyejo

doi:10.1016/j.jmbbm.2023.105831

Self-organized mycelium biocomposites: Effects of geometry and laterite composition on compressive behavior

J Mech Behav Biomed Mater. 2023 Jun:142:105831. doi: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2023.105831. Epub 2023 Apr 11.

Authors

Precious O Etinosa¹, Ali A Salifu², Salifu T Azeko³, John D Obayemi¹, Emmanuel O Onche⁴, Toyin Aina⁵, Winston O Soboyejo⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 100 Institute Road, Worcester, MA, 01609, USA.
² Department of Engineering, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, 02467, USA.
³ Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tamale Technical University, Tamale, Ghana.
⁴ Department of Materials Science and Engineering, African University of Science and Technology, Km 10 Airport Road, Galadimawa, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria; Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Abuja, Km 23 Airport Road, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria.
⁵ Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 100 Institute Road, Worcester, MA, 01609, USA; Department of Materials Science and Engineering, African University of Science and Technology, Km 10 Airport Road, Galadimawa, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria.
⁶ Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 100 Institute Road, Worcester, MA, 01609, USA; Department of Materials Science and Engineering, African University of Science and Technology, Km 10 Airport Road, Galadimawa, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria. Electronic address: wsoboyejo@wpi.edu.

PMID: 37075528
DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2023.105831

Abstract

This study investigates the compressive deformation and the effect of structural architecture on the compressive strength of bioprocessed mycelium biocomposites reinforced with laterite particles. In the mycelium blocks, lignocellulosic hemp hurds function as reinforcing and nutritional substrates. The mycelium acts as a supportive matrix, binding the hemp hurds and the laterite particles which are integrated for further reinforcement to improve the compressive strength of the composite. The compressive behavior of the composites is elucidated using a combined approach of experimental and theoretical studies. The deformation mechanisms are investigated via in-situ observations of the specimens under uniaxial compressive loading. The experiments show that the compressive deformation results in progressive micro-buckling in slender specimens, whereas thicker samples exhibit a soft elastic response at small strain levels followed by continuous stiffening at larger strains. Based on the experimental observations and the morphological characterization, a column buckling analysis was developed for the mycelium-hemp composites to further explain the observed deformation phenomena.

Keywords: Buckling analysis; Composites; Compressive properties; Hemp hurds; Laterite; Mycelium.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Compressive Strength
Models, Theoretical*
Mycelium* / chemistry
Pressure