Reforming Concrete: Mechanical Innovation in Sustainability
Disciplines
Applied Mechanics | Architectural Engineering | Architectural Technology | Civil and Environmental Engineering | Construction Engineering | Environmental Design | Manufacturing | Polymer and Organic Materials
Abstract (300 words maximum)
Timber frame concrete formwork can generate as much as 40% of construction waste on a given project. This study proposes a method of concrete formwork construction that aims to improve the versatility and sustainability of concrete construction processes through the application of a novel concrete reinforcement system which reduces waste generated by current concrete formwork practices. By using fabric to build formwork and provide reinforcement the possibilities of design in concrete and cementitious materials are widened. 3D printed shear dowels are placed into the formwork to transfer tension loads out of the concrete and into the fabric. The dowel is designed to have a pressure fitted locking mechanism for easy installation. The dowels are pushed through the weave of the fabric and have four points of connection to prevent a concentration of force in any one point causing the dowel to fail. There were several design iterations to ensure the dowel was able to efficiently distribute the shear forces. These parts are meant to be manufactured through 3D printing further supporting the sustainability of this process by reducing material waste and energy input for manufacturing processes. It is also cost effective; the parts can be scaled easily, and materials can be changed based on strength needs and applications. Testing is primarily focused on Selective Laser Sintering (SLA) printed resin parts because this method produces isotropic products which eliminate concerns relative to loading balance for printing and installation orientation. The material chosen for this project is a high tensile strength resin with comparable elongation at failure to steel to avoid brittle failure. This product will be analyzed by stress simulation of the design using several material parameters and compressive load testing of beams constructed with this technique
Academic department under which the project should be listed
SPCEET - Mechanical Engineering
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Giovanni Loreto
Reforming Concrete: Mechanical Innovation in Sustainability
Timber frame concrete formwork can generate as much as 40% of construction waste on a given project. This study proposes a method of concrete formwork construction that aims to improve the versatility and sustainability of concrete construction processes through the application of a novel concrete reinforcement system which reduces waste generated by current concrete formwork practices. By using fabric to build formwork and provide reinforcement the possibilities of design in concrete and cementitious materials are widened. 3D printed shear dowels are placed into the formwork to transfer tension loads out of the concrete and into the fabric. The dowel is designed to have a pressure fitted locking mechanism for easy installation. The dowels are pushed through the weave of the fabric and have four points of connection to prevent a concentration of force in any one point causing the dowel to fail. There were several design iterations to ensure the dowel was able to efficiently distribute the shear forces. These parts are meant to be manufactured through 3D printing further supporting the sustainability of this process by reducing material waste and energy input for manufacturing processes. It is also cost effective; the parts can be scaled easily, and materials can be changed based on strength needs and applications. Testing is primarily focused on Selective Laser Sintering (SLA) printed resin parts because this method produces isotropic products which eliminate concerns relative to loading balance for printing and installation orientation. The material chosen for this project is a high tensile strength resin with comparable elongation at failure to steel to avoid brittle failure. This product will be analyzed by stress simulation of the design using several material parameters and compressive load testing of beams constructed with this technique