Reinforcement Strategies for Additive Manufacturing in Construction Based on Dynamic Fibre Winding: Concepts and Initial Case Studies

Abstract

Whereas entire houses are reported to be built by means of 3D Concrete Printing (3DCP), automated integration of reinforcement is still a vastly unresolved challenge and - undoubtfully - a crucial requirement for widespread adoption of 3DCP in construction practice. The disruptive technology of 3DCP opens up the chance to overcome insufficiencies of conventional steel reinforcement and its rationalised orthogonal use. This paper discloses a field of options for future construction by exploring possible reinforcement strategies for different kinds of cement-based Additive Manufacturing techniques using continuous textile fibres. A methodology is introduced to identify, compare and assess new processes for integration of fibre reinforcement based on robotic winding. Two novel approaches will be described regarding Large Particle 3D Concrete Printing and Shotcrete 3d Printing. Respective case studies will be presented in order to give a basic proof of concept.