This seminar will be presented via video link from Japan.
ABSTRACT:
In the past, due to the superior properties of carbon fibers, there has been little interest in using natural fibers as reinforcement for composite materials in structures. In recent years however, natural fibers have become an important area of research. There are many reasons: cost, advantageous properties and the rise of environmental concerns. There are many applications where they could replace or be used in conjunction with carbon and other materials. In this research, it is desired to study their suitability for use in stringed musical instruments, an area that currently consumes some of the most rare and precious wood species. It is proposed that the properties of certain natural fibers are well suited for this as well as many other applications. A classical guitar will be designed, manufactured and tested in order to optimize the acoustic properties and the manufacturing process. Finite element analysis software will be used to perform structural and modal analysis. It is hoped that this research will lead to a new class of stringed musical instruments and assist in future efforts to incorporate natural fibers into useful applications.