On sustainability and digital fabrication with concrete
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Author / Producer
Date
2022-08
Publication Type
Journal Article
ETH Bibliography
yes
Citations
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Data
Abstract
Digital fabrication with concrete has been touted as an avenue to more sustainable construction through more material efficient design, but notably has produced materials with higher carbon footprints and a strong likelihood of reduced durability compared to standard construction. In this short article, a relationship to give a sense of the environmental impact of a structure is introduced, and it is emphasized that shape efficiency is the only unique environmental benefit that digital concrete brings. However, efforts should still continue to bring digital concrete more in line with standard concrete, especially through incorporation of large aggregates and better characterizing the durability. Finally, it is shown that while most 3D printed concretes appear to be overdesigned due to processing requirements, the use of aluminum based accelerators in a 2K system can be beneficial in decoupling buildability from structural strength, allowing greater freedom to lower carbon footprints in mix design.
Permanent link
Publication status
published
Editor
Book title
Journal / series
Volume
158
Pages / Article No.
106837
Publisher
Elsevier
Event
Edition / version
Methods
Software
Geographic location
Date collected
Date created
Subject
Digital fabrication; Sustainability; Environmental footprint; Accelerator; 3D printing
Organisational unit
03891 - Flatt, Robert J. / Flatt, Robert J.
02284 - NFS Digitale Fabrikation / NCCR Digital Fabrication
Notes
Funding
141853 - Digital Fabrication - Advanced Building Processes in Architecture (SNF)