geomorphic concrete - intrusion for performance


Alternative Approach for Fabricating Topology-Optimized Designs: Rather than attempting to fabricate the delicate shapes of topology-optimized designs, this research proposes an approach that maintains the prismatic shape of a structure while enhancing its performance by introducing reinforcement material into the concrete in a topology-optimized manner.

This method is less wasteful and simpler to fabricate compared to directly manufacturing topology-optimized geometries. Inspired by the geological process of igneous intrusion, where magma is transported and stored within the Earth's crust, resulting in complex structural characteristics, prototypes were fabricated with low-resolution topology-optimized beams by injecting a secondary material into concrete to fabricate topology-optimized concrete structures. 

This method is based on the Concrete Injection 3D printing technique, which involves introducing reinforcement material into the concrete to create complex structural characteristics, ultimately enhancing the performance of the structure. To test this approach, this study applied it to three different design cases: injecting high-strength concrete into lightweight concrete, injecting a water-soluble gypsum mixture into regular concrete, and injecting coiled metal cable for reinforcement.
Research, 2023.

Thesis, MIT
Cambridge, MA.

Il Hwan Kim (author), Skylar Tibbits (advisor), Sheila Kennedy, Mohamed Ismail (reader).

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