Review of Natural Fiber Composite Design for Sustainable Infrastructural Development

Abstract

This chapter reviews recent advancement and applications of natural fiber-reinforced polymer
composites with special reference to achieving environmentally sustainable infrastructural
development. High static charge accumulation, non-biodegradable characteristics, high cost, high
density and poor recycling properties of synthetic fiber composite and monolithic materials has
triggered renewed search for a sustainable alternative. Detailed background to natural fiber
reinforced composite materials were given, highlighting dominant properties that flag their
potentials as reliable alternative to regular materials such as wood, steel, glasses etc. Sectorial
applications of fiber reinforced composites, design process innovation for sustainable
infrastructural development and sustainable infrastructural development process were presented.
It was canvassed that innovation has relevant systemic features which require that the design
team should comprise of experts that contributes relevant sectoral knowledge base, technologies,
inputs and potential/existing infrastructural need profiles. Furthermore, the Taguchi technique
was embraced as a tool for robust design of sustainable and resilient infrastructure with the
ultimate goal of finding optimal material factor settings to reduce cost and environmental impact
by minimizing variations. However, a major impediment to robust design of infrastructural
facilities in Nigeria is the absence of new fiber characterization framework with basic constructs
and the availability of manufacturing technology. Advocacy for sustained use of natural fiber
reinforced composite materials for low strength application in the industries was therefore
propagated and recommended.

Keywords: innovation, composite infrastructure, material, design, sustainable development, value