2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

This paper presents the Thurman Botanical Tapestry project, focusing on its comprehensive definition of completeness in engineering. The project's core objective is the creation of a budget-compliant vertical plant wall equipped with an automatic plant care system, meeting specific criteria such as budget adherence, aesthetic enhancement of the building, structural integrity, and accommodation of diverse plant types for a visually pleasing impact.
The primary goal of the project is the meticulous design of a modular plant wall within stringent constraints, emphasizing the integration of nature into the academic environment. In addition, it encompasses the development of an indoor waterfall with a tribute to the university emblem, incorporating electronic readouts and monitoring systems for plant maintenance parameters, designed to be user-friendly for untrained student research assistants.
An essential aspect of this endeavor is the correlation between biological input factors and the success of the automated fertigation system. This involves constant monitoring of pH levels, sunlight intensity, and moisture content within plant pockets. The design of the green wall is tailored to biology student research assistants, ensuring intuitiveness and compliance with OSHA regulations. A mechanical system is also integrated to safely raise and lower plant modules.
Quality assurance procedures include virtual simulations and the operation of a mechanical prototype. Virtual simulations assess structural soundness, while the prototype trial run validates the irrigation system, checks for stress deformations, and monitors plant health. The final testing phase evaluates the functionality of the pulley system and the effectiveness of the indoor waterfall feature, harmonizing aesthetics, science, and engineering in a unique interdisciplinary project.