3D-printed formworks for glass fibre reinforced shotcrete


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Date

2023-05-11

Publication Type

Other Conference Item

ETH Bibliography

yes

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Abstract

Glass fibre reinforced shotcrete has the potential to be sprayed onto any shape imaginable. Nevertheless, the possibilities are limited by the availability and fabrication constraints of adequate moulds or formworks. This paper describes a method to produce precise glass fibre reinforced shotcrete building elements with complex geometries using 3D-printed formworks. These elements benefit from the high strength of concrete while inheriting the geometric freedom of the digitally fabricated formworks. The paper documents the implementation of this method in two representative built projects as case studies. The first is the Incidental Space, a temporary pavilion built in Venice for the Architecture Biennale in 2016. The second is the structural Smart Slab completed in 2019 in Dübendorf, Switzerland. The two projects document comparatively key aspects of the process that make it suitable for real-world scenarios. The process starts with the fabrication-informed computational design that enables radical new architectural shapes. Subsequently, the formworks for these shapes are faithfully 3D-printed using binder-jetted sand. The necessary reinforcement for the structural applications is achieved with glass fibres, post-tensioning, and traditional rebar. Once the formwork and reinforcement provisions are prepared, the concrete mix and the concreting process are dynamically adapted to the specific underlying geometric features. The geometric freedom of this process has advantages beyond æsthetics, enabling the construction of structurally efficient, integrative, and smart building components.

Publication status

published

Editor

Book title

Journal / series

Volume

Pages / Article No.

Publisher

International Glassfibre Reinforced Concrete Association

Event

18th International Glassfibre Reinforced Concrete Association Congress (GRC 2023)

Edition / version

Methods

Software

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Date collected

Date created

Subject

3D printing; Concrete; Sprayed concrete; Shotcrete; Formwork

Organisational unit

09566 - Dillenburger, Benjamin / Dillenburger, Benjamin check_circle
02284 - NFS Digitale Fabrikation / NCCR Digital Fabrication

Notes

Paper presented by Andrei Jipa on May 11, 2023.

Funding

141853 - Digital Fabrication - Advanced Building Processes in Architecture (SNF)

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