Design and Fabrication of a Non-standard, Structural Concrete Column Using Eggshell: Ultra-Thin, 3D Printed Formwork


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Date

2020

Publication Type

Conference Paper

ETH Bibliography

yes

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Abstract

This paper describes the design and fabrication process of a concrete column cast in ultra-thin, 3D printed formwork, using a process known as Eggshell. The column was prefabricated as part of a real-world construction project, serving as the main load-bearing element for a reciprocal timber frame structure. The fabrication of the column required upscaling of the Eggshell process, to allow for the fabrication of elements of an architectural scale. Furthermore, several challenges had to be addressed such as: integration of reinforcement, establishing the formwork design space, and scaling up the 3D printing process. For the production of the final column a 1.5 mm thin formwork was 3D printed, after which it was combined with a prefabricated reinforcement cage and filled with concrete in a set-on-demand casting process. The successful realization of the project provides a first example of a full-scale building element produced with the Eggshell fabrication process. By 3D printing the formwork, geometrical freedom in concrete construction is greatly expanded, as well as formwork waste reduced.

Publication status

published

Book title

Second RILEM International Conference on Concrete and Digital Fabrication

Volume

28

Pages / Article No.

1104 - 1115

Publisher

Springer

Event

2nd RILEM International Conference on Concrete and Digital Fabrication (Digital Concrete 2020) (virtual)

Edition / version

Methods

Software

Geographic location

Date collected

Date created

Subject

Organisational unit

09469 - Kaufmann, Walter / Kaufmann, Walter check_circle
03709 - Kohler, Matthias / Kohler, Matthias check_circle
03708 - Gramazio, Fabio / Gramazio, Fabio check_circle
03891 - Flatt, Robert J. / Flatt, Robert J. check_circle
02284 - NFS Digitale Fabrikation / NCCR Digital Fabrication

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