This document summarizes a study investigating the application of biomimicry in structural engineering. It explores how nature has long inspired human solutions through examples like spears made from animal teeth. The study reviews literature on biomimicry's increasing popularity in structural engineering due to benefits like sustainability, energy efficiency, and aesthetics. It presents case studies of structures inspired by termite mounds, tree canopies, and fish skeletons. The conclusion highlights biomimicry's potential to create efficient and sustainable structures through mimicking nature's shapes, processes, and materials.

1. Inspiration around us: Adaptation of Biomimicry
in Structural Engineering
Rahat Al Mamun1, Aynany Tazrian2
1Department of Computer Sciences& Engineering , Independent University, Bangladesh
2 Mechanical Engineering, Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology
Introduction
Nature has inspired solutions to human problems since prehistoric
times. Starting from spears made from the teeth of animals to
modern structures biological organisms inspired a lot. Biomimicry,
the imitation of natural systems to solve human problems, has
become increasingly popular in the field of structural engineering
[1]. This study will investigate the current state of biomimicry in
structural engineering by reviewing relevant literature, case studies.
This study explores the benefits of biomimicry in structural
engineering, including increased sustainability, improved energy
efficiency, and enhanced aesthetics. Additionally, this review
explores the existing biomimetic-inspired civil engineering system
and architecture [2]. Biomimicry has enormous potential to
revolutionize the field of structural engineering, providing innovative
and sustainable solutions to complex design challenges while
minimizing the environmental impact of construction.
Objective
Analysis of the potential of biomimicry to be incorporated with natural
design into structural engineering techniques to increase efficiency,
reduce environmental degradation and make construction cost and
labor effective.
Methods
References
Case Studies & Discussion
.
Conclusion & Prospects
Case 1 The termites have an exceptional and amazing capability to
maintain a constant temperature and humidity in their mounds.
Following similar concept, a mid rise official complex named
Eastgate centre, shown in fig. 1, has been constructed in Harare,
Zimbabwe
Case 2 The canopy structure of Terminal 3 at Germany’s Stuttgart
Airport is inspired from trees. The terminal is centered around 18 tree
shaped columns supporting a large pitched roof. Tree-shaped
columns reduced the amount of structural steel needed.
This study provides a general overview of the principles of
biomimicry, the types of structures that natural designs have
influenced, and the benefits of using biomimicry in structural
engineering. Despites of some inefficiencies, the findings of this
research highlight the potential of biomimicry to create efficient and
sustainable structures and offer insights for future research in this
field.
Acknowledgement:
• Department Of CEE, Islamic University Of Technology (IUT)
• Salman Promon, Lecturer, Dept. of Life Sciences, Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB)
1. Ahamed M.K. et al. “From biology to biomimicry: Using nature to build better structures –
A review”. Construction and Building Materials. V 320. 2021
2. Kuru A. et al. “Biomimetic adaptive building skins: Energy and environmental regulation
in buildings”. Energy and Buildings. V205. 2019
3. Cattano C, et al. Teaching Systems Thinking and Biomimicry to Civil Engineering
Students. JPIIEP. 2011
Biomimicry can be applied to construction and structural engineering
through three main avenues: shape, processes, and building materials
Identify the design
challenge
Research
biological system
Identify design
principles
Direct
Approach
Identify an
organism in the
ecosystem
Mimics behavioral
patter
Indirect
Approach
Uses abstract
concepts in nature
Organism Level
Mimicry of a specific
organism
Behavior Level
Mimicry of the way that
organs behave of a large
context
Ecosystem Level
Mimicry of an ecosystem
Case 3 Vincent Callebaut
Architectures Reveals Design
For Garden Footbridge Bio-
Inspired By Fish Skeleton. The
Green Line integrates the rules
of passive bioclimatism through
high quality thermal inertia and
a double-flow ventilation system
between the functions.
1
2
3