Students at TU Lübeck have constructed an impressive dome structure using 102 individually 3D-printed concrete blocks, achieving the curved shape through precise block arrangement.
This innovative construction method has the potential to significantly reduce material consumption and CO2 emissions in the construction industry by avoiding the use of steel and minimizing mass and material requirements.
Researchers are planning to collaborate with industry partners to explore the feasibility of implementing this construction method in real-world building projects, potentially paving the way for sustainable architecture.
Sustainable Architecture: TH Lübeck Students Construct Dome Using 3D-Printed Concrete Blocks.
Students majoring in architecture and civil engineering at the Technical University (TU) Lübeck have constructed a remarkable dome structure using 102 individually 3D-printed concrete blocks. This innovative construction was developed through a completely digital process.
According to TU Lübeck, the curved shape was not created by using identical blocks with joints but rather through the precise arrangement of individual blocks. This allows for the creation of three-dimensional, doubly curved forms.
This construction method opens up fascinating possibilities for building halls, stadiums, and churches and has the potential to reduce material consumption and CO2 emissions in the construction industry. "We are avoiding the use of steel and saving a significant amount of mass and material," explained Prof. Michael Herrmann, who supervised the project along with Prof. Benjamin Spaeth. "This significantly reduces CO2 emissions."
Through their work on the 4.5 x 4.5-meter model, the two professors, along with their students, gained valuable insights into tolerances, precision, and the connection of the concrete blocks. The next step is to collaborate with industry partners to assess the feasibility of implementing such a construction in real building projects.
