Towards a Multifunctional 3DCP Slab System (2021-08)¶

This paper investigates a performative design approach for the fabrication of three-dimensional concrete printed (3DCP) floor slab systems on a one-to-one scale. 3DCP holds the potential to relinquish the necessity of additional formwork or support structure during the fabrication process and this paper proposes a specific strategy and methodology for an optimal printing process. Further, a practice-based construction sequence with the potential to significantly minimize construction time, resources and therefore costs on the building site is outlined. We present a digital multi-criteria design workflow that includes material, manufacturability, and environmental constraints, focusing on material use reduction for the slab design the structural performance is optimize with consideration for the resulting acoustic environment. Subsequently, the room acoustical performance is evaluated based on the specular and diffuse reflection characteristics of the design iterations. A bespoken custom algorithm generates a material-aware print path for the variable slab geometry. Through this process, the prefab 3DCP parts can be rapidly assembled as permanent lost formwork on-site, followed by the placing of conventional steel reinforcement and a final layering of concrete poured on-site to create a monolithic construction.