How might we utilize fibrous components to create volumetric solids, as in bone?
Bone is composed of hydroxyapatite crystals arrayed at regular intervals along collagen fibers. Although the individual crystals are on the order of nanometers in length, nevertheless bone can form rigid trabecular struts on the order of hundreds of micrometers or more in length.
Inspired by this hierarchical composite material, we develop a method of designing rigid composite forms from disjoint, disarrayed compressive members and a tensile network. We discuss the parameters of the design and their functionality. This method has the added consequence that forms will self-assemble with the application of tension to the network.
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