Injection 3D Concrete Printing (I3DCP) Combined with Vector-Based 3D Graphic Statics (2022-06)¶

This paper introduces the combination of Injection 3DConcrete Printing (I3DCP) with Vector-based 3D Graphic Statics (V3DGS). I3DCP is a technique that robotically injects concrete into a non-hardening carrier liquid which acts as a supporting structure for the printed strands. The printing path of I3DCP is exactly aligned with the spatial stress trajectories, which can be simply treated as strut-and-tie networks in the truss system. V3DGS matches the core of I3DCP, which becomes an ideal system for practically operating the strut-and-tie networks at the design phase, as well as intuitively improving the structural performance. Accordingly, grounded on V3DGS, the design framework called Combinatorial Equilibrium Modelling (CEM) lends itself particularly effective to be integrated with the design process. In terms of fabrication, a modularization strategy is described for fabricating objects larger than the suspension vessel. Finally, a segmentally printed and assembled demonstrator is presented.