Abstract

This paper proposes an Interactive Design Environment (IDE) and outlines the underlying computational framework (CF) to adapt equilibrium modelling techniques from rigid-block masonry to the multi-phase material typically used in large-scale additive manufacture. It focuses on enabling the synthesis of geometries that are structurally and materially feasible vis-a-vis 3D printing with compression-dominant materials. The premise of the proposed research is that the material printed in layers can be viewed as micro-scale bricks that are initially soft, and harden over time – a kind of micro-stereotomy. This insight, and the observation about the necessity of design exploration yields the principal contributions of the paper: A computational framework that allows for geometric reasoning about shape and exploration of associated design-space, and early, proofof-concept results.

Citation

Bhooshan, S., Van Mele, T. and Block, P., 2018. Equilibrium-aware shape design for concrete printing. In Humanizing Digital Reality: Design Modelling Symposium Paris 2017 (pp. 493-508). Springer Singapore.