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Circular Formwork (2023-11)

Recycling of 3D Printed Thermoplastic Formwork for Concrete

10.1080/24751448.2023.2245724

 Burger Joris,  Lloret-Fritschi Ena,  Akerman Marc,  Schwendemann Daniel,  Gramazio Fabio,  Kohler Matthias
Journal Article - Technology|Architecture + Design, Vol. 7, Iss. 2, pp. 204-215

Abstract

Concrete construction is one of the largest producers of CO2 emissions and waste from discarded formwork. 3D printing of formwork using polymer extrusion 3D printing can increase the sustainability of concrete construction by allowing the fabrication of optimized geometry. However, polymer extrusion printed formwork must be discarded after being used several times. Therefore, this paper explores the potential of recycling 3D printed formwork. We describe a workflow in which a formwork is 3D printed, filled with concrete, removed, recycled, and reprinted into a new formwork. Two case studies are presented: filamentprinted PET-G formwork for a concrete column, and pellet-printed PIPG formwork for a series of columns. The results indicate that the printing material can be fully recycled for at least one cycle.

10 References

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    Design and Fabrication of Optimised Ribbed Concrete Floor Slabs Using Large-Scale 3D Printed Formwork
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8 Citations

  1. Sangiorgio Valentino, Rossetti Pietro, Polidoro Anthony, Rossi Emilio (2025-02)
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  2. Sangiorgio Valentino, Bianchi Iacopo, Forcellese Archimede (2025-02)
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  3. Schweizer Katie, Bhandari Sunil, Lopez-Anido Roberto, Korey Matthew et al. (2024-09)
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  4. Romani Alessia, Levi Marinella (2024-09)
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    Principles, Opportunities and Case Studies
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    Leveraging Clay-Formwork 3D Printing for Reinforced-Concrete Construction
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BibTeX 
@article{burg_llor_aker_schw.2023.CF,
  author            = "Joris Jan Burger and Ena Lloret-Fritschi and Marc Akerman and Daniel Schwendemann and Fabio Gramazio and Matthias Daniel Kohler",
  title             = "Circular Formwork: Recycling of 3D Printed Thermoplastic Formwork for Concrete",
  doi               = "10.1080/24751448.2023.2245724",
  year              = "2023",
  journal           = "Technology|Architecture + Design",
  volume            = "7",
  number            = "2",
  pages             = "204--215",
}
Formatted Citation

J. J. Burger, E. Lloret-Fritschi, M. Akerman, D. Schwendemann, F. Gramazio and M. D. Kohler, “Circular Formwork: Recycling of 3D Printed Thermoplastic Formwork for Concrete”, Technology|Architecture + Design, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 204–215, 2023, doi: 10.1080/24751448.2023.2245724.

Burger, Joris Jan, Ena Lloret-Fritschi, Marc Akerman, Daniel Schwendemann, Fabio Gramazio, and Matthias Daniel Kohler. “Circular Formwork: Recycling of 3D Printed Thermoplastic Formwork for Concrete”. Technology|Architecture + Design 7, no. 2 (2023): 204–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/24751448.2023.2245724.