Abstract
The inevitable expansion of the built environment due to the rapid growth of the urban population in emerging contexts poses a great challenge for the sustainable development of local communities. This problem could be faced by providing adequate multistorey building solutions while using sustainable and eco-friendly materials, preferably from renewable or upcycled and locally available sources. These materials tend to have lower mechanical properties than those commonly used in conventional structures and therefore not adequate for elements subjected to bending such as floor slabs. This challenge can be met by improving the strength of the locally available materials and/or using geometries specifically designed to lower the structural stresses such as funicular structures. In this study, a novel clay-based cementless material is used. Different mixtures and additives were tested to achieve similar processing advantages as concrete. A parabolic arched floor element is designed based on a parametric analysis using graphic statics to reduce structural stresses and weight. The fabrication system is based on reusable formworks in which locally available earth is used as part of the mould. A four meters span arched floor is built to analyse its structural behaviour and to evaluate the proposed fabrication method.
Highlights
Crises are sometimes a fertile ground for innovation
The inevitable expansion of the built environment due to the rapid growth of the urban population in emerging contexts poses a great challenge for the sustainable development of local communities. This problem could be faced by providing adequate multistorey building solutions while using sustainable and eco-friendly materials, preferably from renewable or upcycled and locally available sources. These materials tend to have lower mechanical properties than those commonly used in conventional structures and not adequate for elements subjected to bending such as floor slabs
This study examines a modular approach with molded arched beams joined by control interfaces to form the final floor structure (Figure 5)
Summary
Crises are sometimes a fertile ground for innovation. Creative solutions typically emerge when humanity is pushed out of its comfort zone and radical changes are needed. Throughout its history, humanity has had to adapt repeatedly to alterations in its habitat. Many times as a result of the impact of human productive activities. In ancient Greece, warfare led to the necessity for large quantities of wood for the production of ships and metal processing, favoring alternatives in the construction of buildings [1]. The lack of extractable material sources, such as wood, triggered innovation to adapt the craftsmanship of clay, stone, and marble to building construction. The masonry arch was clearly an effective and efficient way to use locally abundant but brittle materials, in horizontal spanning structures
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