Cyber-physical fabrication of functionally graded concrete components

This research project is concerned with the development of a manufacturing platform for the production of functionally graded concrete components for multi-storey buildings that exhibit a high degree of resource efficiency while taking load-bearing capacity into account. The project is being worked on jointly with ISYS and IWB at the University of Stuttgart. Together with the project RP-1 "Co-Design of functionally graded concrete building system", it comprises the contribution of ILEK to the DFG Cluster of Excellence "Integrative Computational Design and Construction for Architecture".

Based on geometrical, mechanical and physical constraints, the research project deals with the conception of the whole process chain, from design to fabrication, as well as the definition of the fabrication processes for internal grading, fasteners, external formwork systems and concrete discharge and joining systems. The process integrates digital implementations of methods for design and optimization with physical processes - such as the fine-tuned mixing of high-performance concrete and its precise extrusion - as well as digital methods for process planning and control.

Overall, the goal is to minimize the weight of building components, expand on-site manufacturing capabilities, and reduce environmental impacts to meet today's social and environmental challenges and ensure the creation of a livable environment for future generations.

The project will be carried out in close collaboration with the aforementioned FP-1 "Co-Design of functionally graded concrete building system" and will include collaborations with the cyber-physical building platform and the holistic quality model.