Next-gen carbon fiber could improve seismic reinforcement

The use of textiles for building materials is interesting and the project has turned into an interesting case in point involving a building in Japan. It was recreated with a carbon fiber solution wrapped around it. The building has taken on this new look which can be viewed in more detail on the Komatsu Seiren site.

The architect Kengo Kuma and Ejiri Structural Engineers were recruited to collaborate on a visionary application for the headquarters, where they've used the Strand Rods as an architectural element.

Ubergizmo said the carbon fiber strands have been created to help protect buildings from earthquakes. The material is strong said the lab, yet is the lightest seismic reinforcement in the world.

In a presentation video, the point was similarly made that carbon fiber is stronger than metal, and has the additional advantages of being thin and light—"not visually obvious." It manages to protect yet at the same time "secure the freedom of space and light."

The rod was described as interesting as a technology mix of the old and the new. Discussing the story of their design approach, designboom said that in the early design stages, Kuma approached the scheme by developing a hybrid, carbon fiber material called 'Kotmatsu Seiren's CF rod.'

The design concept drew upon the local technique of rope braiding. The fiber rod created "combines together old and new technologies to create a knitted, light, rope-like rod that embodies strong and flexible properties."

Tyler Lee laid out the construction challenges involved in mixing the old with the new in Ubergizmo, pointing out that these buildings are retrofitted with the features needed, but "it involves bracing and bolting the building to its foundation which can be troublesome, expensive, not to mention the look isn't particularly aesthetically pleasing." In contrast, the Komatsu Seiren Fabric Laboratory has come up with a carbon fiber strands that could hold buildings down.

"It seems unlikely that the whole of Japan will begin covering its buildings with this 'string' as it would be impractical, not to mention impossible in more urban settings", explains Lee. "Instead it might be more useful in more remote locations where space is available, or used to protect historical landmarks which might not have been reinforced."