ABSTRACT
Mycelium-bound composites (MBCs) have emerged as promising alternative building material due to their sustainable nature and favorable properties for architectural application. However, their mechanical performance, particularly in terms of flexural strength, limits their broader use. This study investigates the targeted material design of MBCs to enhance their flexural properties. The research follows a three-phase methodology: (1) optimizing substrate composition with additives and secondary substrates, (2) applying textile jacketing, and (3) incorporating tailored placement of long fibers. Results demonstrate that the combination of an optimized substrate recipe, jute textile jacketing, and flax fiber reinforcement enhanced flexural strength by up to 2.63 times compared to unreinforced samples made using the same optimized substrate. This significant improvement highlights the potential of integrating textile jackets and tailored reinforcement strategies to broaden the application of MBCs in architecture.
