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Prvok (2021-09)

An Experiment with 3D Printing Large Doublecurved Concrete Structure

10.52842/conf.ecaade.2021.2.137

Nováková Kateřina, Vele Jiří
Contribution - Proceedings of the 39th International Conference on Education and Research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe, pp. 137-144

Abstract

In this experimental research project we report on the manufacturing process of the first full-size 3D printed concrete structure in our country. The house was 3D printed by an ABB IRB 6700 robot whose range we made fit with the requirements for transportation size and also, its range determined the size and geometry ofthe house. During the transformation process from sketch to code we involved students to apply computational design methods. We designed the main load bearing structure which had to be thinnest and lightest possible together with its insulation features and printability. We were aware ofthe world-wide research in this field started by NASA centennial Challenge called 3D-printed-habitat [Roman,2020] as well as start-ups derived from this research [1,2,3,4]. During the project, we investigated the following matters: (1) the relationship between geometry ofthe wall in model and in practice (2), setting of the robot and the mixture; and (3) stress test ofthe wall. With the results ofthe test we aimed at contribution to standardisation of3D printed structures in ISO/ASTM 52939:2021. The finalized structure, named ``Prvok'', was made to prove printability ofthe mixture and stability ofthe design.

6 References

  1. Craveiro Flávio, Nazarian Shadi, Bártolo Helena, Bartolo Paulo et al. (2020-02)
    An Automated System for 3D Printing Functionally Graded Concrete-Based Materials
  2. Gosselin Clément, Duballet Romain, Roux Philippe, Gaudillière-Jami Nadja et al. (2016-03)
    Large-Scale 3D Printing of Ultra-High-Performance Concrete:
    A New Processing Route for Architects and Builders
  3. Lowke Dirk, Dini Enrico, Perrot Arnaud, Weger Daniel et al. (2018-07)
    Particle-Bed 3D Printing in Concrete Construction:
    Possibilities and Challenges
  4. Papachristoforou Michail, Mitsopoulos Vasilios, Stefanidou Maria (2018-10)
    Evaluation of Workability Parameters in 3D Printing Concrete
  5. Schutter Geert, Lesage Karel, Mechtcherine Viktor, Nerella Venkatesh et al. (2018-08)
    Vision of 3D Printing with Concrete:
    Technical, Economic and Environmental Potentials
  6. Wolfs Robert, Bos Freek, Salet Theo (2018-02)
    Early-Age Mechanical Behaviour of 3D Printed Concrete:
    Numerical Modelling and Experimental Testing

1 Citations

  1. Lopes de Aquino Brasil Alexander, Carmo Pena (2025-09)
    A Systematic Review of Robotic Additive Manufacturing Applications in Architecture, Engineering, and Construction

BibTeX 
@inproceedings{nova_vele.2021.P,
  author            = "Kateřina Nováková and Jiří Vele",
  title             = "Prvok: An Experiment with 3D Printing Large Doublecurved Concrete Structure",
  doi               = "10.52842/conf.ecaade.2021.2.137",
  year              = "2021",
  pages             = "137--144",
  booktitle         = "Proceedings of the 39th International Conference on Education and Research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe",
  editor            = "Vesna Stojaković and Bojan Tepavčević",
}
Formatted Citation

K. Nováková and J. Vele, “Prvok: An Experiment with 3D Printing Large Doublecurved Concrete Structure”, in Proceedings of the 39th International Conference on Education and Research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe, 2021, pp. 137–144. doi: 10.52842/conf.ecaade.2021.2.137.

Nováková, Kateřina, and Jiří Vele. “Prvok: An Experiment with 3D Printing Large Doublecurved Concrete Structure”. In Proceedings of the 39th International Conference on Education and Research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe, edited by Vesna Stojaković and Bojan Tepavčević, 137–44, 2021. https://doi.org/10.52842/conf.ecaade.2021.2.137.