Reinforced Walls

3D Concrete Printing (3DCP) is one of the most widely adopted digital fabrication methods for concrete construction, offering the potential to reduce material usage by enabling optimized geometries without the need for formwork. However, to achieve significant material reduction while maintaining structural integrity, 3DCP must demonstrate mechanical performance comparable to conventionally reinforced concrete.

A major challenge in scaling 3DCP for structural applications is the integration of effective reinforcement strategies, as conventional rebar placement remains difficult to implement within printed structures. While various reinforcement techniques have been explored, direct application of continuous steel reinforcement in 3DCP remains limited.

This project proposes an innovative reinforcement approach that leverages the geometric freedom of 3DCP to efficiently position continuous, straight rebar within a lattice structure, ensuring strength in multiple loading orientations. By designing a hollow structural element, the printed concrete serves both as formwork for the infill and as a guide for reinforcement placement, simplifying the assembly process. This strategy not only enables the efficient use of linear, readily available, and cost-effective rebar but also significantly reduces overall concrete consumption, contributing to more sustainable and resource-efficient construction.