Double-curved panels produced in a flexible mould with selfcompacting fibre-reinforced concrete

The number of applications with thin flat, curved or double-curved elements often produced as architectural elements for façades is rising fast. If the repetition factor of the elements is limited, which is often the case in free-form architecture, the high number of unique moulds makes this type of architecture economically less viable....

Double-curved precast concrete elements: Research into technical viability of the flexible mould method

The production of precast, concrete elements with complex, double-curved geometry is expensive due to the high costcosts of the necessary moulds and the limited possibilities for mould reuse. Currently, CNC-milled foam moulds are the solution applied mostly in projects, offering good aesthetic performance, but also resulting in waste of material...

Shear-deforming textile reinforced concrete for the construction of double-curved structures

A composite textile reinforced concrete (TRC) material is developed to overcome the difficulties of constructing double-curved freeform structures. This is possible by shear-deformation of the woven reinforcement. It affects the direction of reinforcement and thickness, resulting in variable orthotropic properties over the surface. The research...

Kine-Mould: Manufacturing technology for curved architectural elements in concrete

The production of architectural elements with complex geometry is challenging for concrete manufacturers. Computer-numerically-controlled (CNC) milled foam moulds have been applied frequently in the last decades, resulting in good aesthetical performance. However, still the costs are high and a large volume of waste is produced. This paper...

Maakbaarheid: Flexibele herbruikbare mal

Double-curved textile reinforced concrete panels with tensile strain-hardening characteristics

The construction of buildings with fi-ee-form surfaces can be accompanied with relatively high costs. An innovative method to produce free-form surfaces in concrete is the application of double-curved precast panels produced with a flexible re-usable mould technique. Traditional placing of reinforcing bars to strengthen such panels causes...

The production effect on the performance of panels: Cast with self-compacting fibre reinforced concrete

The strain-hardening behaviour of cementitious composites is the result of a synergistic behaviour of the cement matrix and fibres in a cracked cross-section. The distribution and orientation of the fibres are essential in order to obtain such favourable tensile behaviour. Strain-hardening composites can be applied and are especially useftil in...

Production of Curved Precast Concrete Elements for Shell Structures and Free-form Architecture using the Flexible Mould Method

Free-form buildings tend to be expensive. By optimizing the production process, economical and well-performing precast concrete structures can be manufactured. In this paper, a method is presented that allows producing highly accurate double curved-elements without the need for milling two expensive mould surfaces per single element. The...

Efficient material use through smart flexible formwork method

Concrete is an excellent material for application in free-form architecture as a result of its initial fluid state. Double-curved building shapes have been realized in various fibre-reinforced mixtures, using advanced CNC-milled formwork systems. However, a substantial reduction of material use is still possible on two ends: by using a flexible...

Optimization of the flexible mould process for the production of double-curved concrete elements

Free-form buildings tend to be expensive. By optimizing the production process, economical and wellperforming concrete structures and elements can be manufactured. In this paper, an innovative method is presented that allows producing highly accurate double curved-elements without the need for milling two expensive mould surfaces per single...

Rheological parameters used for deliberate deformation of a flexible mould after casting

This paper describes how curved precast concrete elements can be manufactured in an open and reusable flexible mould. The proposed method reduces formwork costs of architectural freeform elements in concrete. First, the method is described briefly, then a series of tests are discussed, demonstrating that by measuring the rheological parameters...

The use of SCC and textile reinforcement

In an earlier article (CPI issue of August 2011 [1]) a method was presented for producing precast curved panels with a thickness of a few centimeters using the 'flexible mould method'. This method is the central theme in the PhD study of the first author on the realization of freeform architecture in concrete. The concrete panels manufactured...

Deliberate deformation of concrete after casting

This paper discusses the effect of intentional deformation of a flexible formwork after casting of the concrete and the influence of the characteristics of concrete in the fresh state on the quality of a concrete element. This deformation is intended to bring the concrete element in its desired final shape; the deformation typically takes place...

Deliberate deformation of concrete after casting

This paper discusses the effect of intentional deformation of a flexible formwork after casting of the concrete and the influence of the characteristics of concrete in the fresh state on the quality of a concrete element. This deformation is intended to bring the concrete element in its desired final shape; the deformation typically takes place...

Frei geformte Betonbauteile: Finden einer Fertigungsmethode

Due to the complexity of the freeform shapes it is often not possible to distinguish any repetitive elements in freeform buildings at all. Most freeform building designs consist of many single or double curved surfaces which require complex shapes for the mould and element edges. Since the costs of the moulds (formwork) for precast concrete make...