FlexiForm - Structurally and materially informed design and fabrication strategies for knitted textile formworks for concrete structures

Introduction

The FlexiForm project is set to transform the construction industry by substantially reducing material usage and embodied carbon in new buildings through an innovative design and construction approach for concrete structures.

Objectives

By leveraging the structural and material efficiency of double-curved geometries and lightweight 3D knitted textile formworks, the project seeks to create sustainable, cost-effective, and reliable structural solutions.

Methodology

To achieve this challenging goal, the project will develop a unified computational design and fabrication workflow that optimizes material usage and accurately predicts the mechanical properties of knitted textiles.

Key Features

1. Incorporating knitted textiles material and fabrication constraints into the workflow.
2. Reducing reliance on specialized knowledge and physical testing.
3. Establishing an open-source material database.
4. Developing a form-finding method for knitted textile formworks.

Impact

These features will facilitate the widespread adoption of sustainable practices in the construction industry. Ultimately, the project’s outcomes will contribute to the objectives of the European Green Deal and the New European Bauhaus, promoting transparency, collaboration, and dissemination of research findings.

Conclusion

Through reducing raw material consumption and introducing innovative construction techniques, the FlexiForm project will pave the way for a more sustainable and efficient future in the construction industry.