Sep 13, 2018 | By Thomas
Researchers at the Centre for Information Technology and Architecture (CITA) of the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts and at the Danish Technological Institute have developed a new hybrid construction concept called "Sparse Concrete Reinforcement In Meshworks" (SCRIM) that intersects robot-based 3D Concrete Printing and textile reinforcement meshes to produce lightweight elements.
Meshwork setup for Experiment 1. Credit: CITA and DTI.
In contrast to current 3D concrete printing approaches, which often stack material vertically, the SCRIM approach permits full exploitation of 6-axis robotic control by utilising supportive meshes to define 3D surfaces onto which concrete is selectively deposited at various orientation angles. Also, instead of fully encapsulating the textile in a cementitious matrix using formworks or spray-ing concrete, SCRIM relies on sparsely depositing concrete to achieve structural, tectonic and aesthetic design goals, minimising material use.
According to Phil Ayres and Wilson Ricardo Leal da Silva, two of the researchers who carried out the study, the motivation behind this novel concept is to fully engage the 3D control capabilities of conventional robotics in concrete use, offering an enriched spatial potential extending beyond extruded geometries prevalent in 3D concrete printing, and diversifying the existing spectrum of digital construction approaches.
Meshwork setup for Experiment 2. Credit: CITA and DTI.
Conventional 3D concrete printing approaches stack material vertically, resulting in a few restrictions in build orientation and incorporation of reinforcement. The SCRIM concept employs carbon-fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) meshes that are printed upon directly. In the SCRIM concept, meshes are arranged into target geometries, which can also include vertical areas. Concrete is then selectively deposited into the mesh, which acts as a reinforcement element as well as a stay-in-place formwork.
"Conceptually, we can think of the method as locally reinforcing a textile membrane with concrete, rather than monolithic printing, which underlies existing approaches," Ayres said.
SCRIM results of tapered cone in Experiment 1. Released free-standing assembly (right), with details of deposition process and results (left). Credit: CITA and DTI.
SCRIM results of ¼ pipe in Experiment 1.Credit: CITA and DTI.
The SCRIM technique supports subsequent processes such as element addition and embellishment as well as articulates a distinct architectural expression, allowing for greater freedom in design.
"There are still challenges to be solved in 3D concrete printing, but the SCRIM method contributes to diversifying the existing spectrum of digital construction approaches in a field that is being heavily explored in the research community. A key difference is that SCRIM fully engages the 3D control and movement capabilities of six-axis robotics," Ayres said. "From a design perspective, this opens new creative potentials for 3DCP. From a practical perspective, the SCRIM approach enables off-site printing and component based assembly. In addition, because concrete is selectively deposited, this helps reduce concrete consumption and enable the production of lighter building components."
SCRIM results in Experiment 2. a) First deposition attempt; b) second deposition attempt. Credit: CITA and DTI.
Further work will include refining the concrete mix design and investigating the effect of fibres on the early age mechanical properties of 3D printed concrete. In addition, researchers are also looking the possibility of producing tailored carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) meshes for refined tailoring of structural performance and enable adaptive robotic control to cater for 'print time' dynamics.
Speculative visualisation of an envisaged building element-a graded internal partition.
"We also aim to develop an integrated design environment, linking design intent with simulation, production process analysis and properties of the resulting elements post-production," Ayres said. "Finally, we plan to seek industry partners to develop the concept towards the production of building components."
Posted in 3D Printing Technology
Source: Tech Xplore
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