How to harness the potential of concrete in European housing?
International cooperation of researchers
Researchers from WUT, together with partners from Norway and Finland, are developing additive manufacturing (AM) technology using aluminum fiber-reinforced concrete. As part of the "Sustainable Concrete Freeforming for the New European Bauhaus" (SCENE-B) project, the plans include developing an environmentally sustainable material, appropriate additive manufacturing technologies, and automated design methodologies.
Concrete, due to its durability, strength, and ease of use, is one of the most commonly used building materials in the world. Traditional materials and construction methods account for about 40% of global CO₂ emissions, with concrete being the largest contributor. The full potential of sustainable concrete technology has yet to be explored. The SCENE-B project aims to bridge this gap.
It aims to define the range of possible and optimal applications of 3D printing technology using aluminum-reinforced concrete for modern multi-family housing in Europe, in line with the principles of the New European Bauhaus (NEB).
The main tasks of researchers from WUT focus on selected aspects of architectural design. The scope of work is broad, starting with a SWOT analysis of concrete printing in residential buildings and the selection of case studies within the housing typology. It also includes identifying building elements and structures best suited for concrete use, considering the properties of the new material, and examining similarities and differences in EU regulatory conditions for implementing the analyzed 3DCP technology, particularly building codes in member states. Experts from WUT will focus on digital tools for designing AM concrete elements, taking into account production constraints modeled in a digital twin. They will also work on the design of freeform shapes, as well as topology and/or shape optimization to minimize material consumption. Additionally, a key task for the team will be the development of an interface for a digital design tool—a "parametric library" of elements—and the creation of design guidelines for 3DCP technology. The activities will also involve collaboration in concept verification, prototyping projects, and overseeing the creation of content (based on research results) for various target audiences, such as stakeholders from the academic community, the general public, lawmakers, and public entities.
"The analyzed technology (3DCP) has the potential to revolutionize the architecture, engineering, and construction industries by reducing its environmental impact (minimizing material use, construction time, and waste) and enabling the freedom to design complex geometries, as well as automating the process of manufacturing building components (increasing work efficiency and safety in AEC)," says Ewelina Gawell, PhD, from the Faculty of Architecture at WUT.
The SCENE-B project has received funding from the HORIZON – EIC Grants under the program HORIZON-EIC-2023-PATHFINDERCHALLENGES-01-02 – EIC Pathfinder Challenge: AEC digitalisation for a new triad of design, fabrication, and materials. The project leader is Sintef Manufacturing AS (Norway), and the consortium also includes the following research institutions and technology companies: Hyperion Robotics, Sintef AS (Sintef Community and Sintef Digital), MIL – Mechatronics Innovation Lab, and the Warsaw University of Technology (Faculty of Architecture).
The team from WUT consists of specialists from the Division of Living Environment Architecture and the Computer-Aided Architectural Design Laboratory: associate professor Karolina Tulkowska-Słyk, PhD, (project leader), Ewelina Gawell, PhD, Professor Jan Słyk, Marcin Strzała, PhD, Paweł Przybyłowicz, PhD, Krzysztof Nazar, MSc, Tomasz Paleski, MSc, Monika Pogwizd, MSc, Przemysław Sasin, MSc, Somia Hassan, and Maria Płóciennik.
For more information about the project, visit the website www.scene-b.eu.