Introduction to Biotechnologies and Biomimetics for Civil Engineering - Biotechnologies and Biomimetics for Civil Engineering - page 12

one in which civil engineers are entrusted to create a sustainable world (ASCE
2009 ).
Many topics have been written on the field of biotechnology unfortunately the
majority of them have absolutely nothing on civil engineering applications. And
even the few that have something only have one or just two chapters on this issue.
The literature on biomimetic civil engineering applications is even scarcer. It's
easy to understand why that happens. Civil engineering is a very conservative field
and its focus has saw little change in the last few decades. For instance, OPC was
50 years ago the most important construction material in this field and it remains
still.
This topic thus provides essential reading concerning biotechnologies and
biomimetics for civil engineering. I hope that all of those involved in this field can
benefit from the knowledge contained in the present topic, which was kindly
assembled by a team of international experts.
1.3 Topic Outline
Basics of construction microbial biotechnology is the subject of Chap. 2 .It
includes considerations on the different biotechnological products and biotech-
nologies for civil engineering. Microorganisms in construction microbial bio-
technology are analyzed. The application of microbial biopolymers in the
construction industry and in geotechnical engineering is discussed. Biocements
and biogrouts are reviewed. This chapter concludes with an analysis on the case of
bioremediation of construction sites through biocementation.
Chapter 3 deals with general aspects of biomimetic materials. It includes a brief
outline of the discipline and a discussion of general aspects related to the structure
and synthesis of natural materials. It reviews the recent progress made in the
development of biomimetic materials with improved mechanical resistance,
optical, self-cleaning, adhesiveness, and anti-adhesion properties is reviewed with
reference made to the most noteworthy examples.
Chapter 4 is concerned with the use of biomimicry as a tool for design for
climate change adaptation and mitigation. Different biomimetic approaches to
design are discussed and categorized, and a series of case study examples illustrate
the benefits and drawbacks of each approach.
Chapter 5 reviews state-of-the-art examples of research concepts and design
applications with bio-inspired adaptable solutions for the building envelope. The
chapter concludes with an outlook of design support methodologies that can
potentially incite the practical uptake of bio-inspired adaptive building skins in the
future.
The importance of green building envelopes in promoting biophilic cities is the
subject of Chap. 6 . A discussion on the green building envelope strategy is
included. Its contribution for air quality improvement, temperature regulation and