Greater focus on sustainability across numerous industries has led to an uptick in the demand for increasingly environmentally-friendly materials. Biochar has recently come into the arena as a material that is created from biomass that has undergone pyrolysis. The benefits of this material include inputs easily found in nature (ie. pine wood), high biodegradability, and high relative strength. When combined with epoxy resin, it was hypothesized that this composite would create a stronger, more environmentally-friendly material than either component by itself. Through the use of ABAQUS, a finite element analysis software, representative volume elements (RVEs) were created in order to test several configurations, load magnitudes & types, variations of biochar, and mass percentages to determine the most stress-resistant material. Through analysis of the maximum and minimum von Mises Stress percentages experienced by each RVE, 4 assignable sections of spruce-fir and pine sawdust biochar collectively produced the smallest von Mises Stress percentages, indicating a low likelihood of plastic characteristics after applied stress. Across all RVEs, the median number of assignable sections (4) for biochar had the lowest von Mises Stress percentages, indicating that maintaining elastic properties is best done through a hybrid of epoxy resin and biochar. In terms of the best type of stress, hydrostatic stress gave more favorable results (decreased von Mises percentages). Differences between the reaction force from varying pressures was proportional, indicating similar behavior at different stress values. Future applications include interdisciplinary applications of epoxy resin in green-transportation, green-construction, or crack prevention across other environmentally conscious disciplines.
Abstract Greater focus on sustainability across numerous industries has led to an uptick in the demand for increasingly environmentally-friendly materials. Biochar has recently come [...]
Finite Element Analysis of Novel Biochar Reinforced Epoxy Resin Composites for Sustainable Applications 
