Optimised Beam Design Using Innovative Fabric-Formed Concrete

With pressure on designers to provide sustainability driven structural solutions, making best use of resources in structural design becomes paramount. In particular, cement is one of the greatest CO, contributors and its use in concrete structures means that optimisation to minimise material and weight is crucial. Optimal design techniques, such as the bone growth analogy, result in extraordinary images of curvaceous and interesting optimised systems. However, the link to practical construction has not always been considered. Simultaneous with this sort of optimisation, various researchers around the world have been looking at the use of flexible fabric formwork for the casting of interesting architectural concrete structures. This previous research has not fully made the link between beauty and precise prediction of final geometry. This paper describes recent research at the University of Bath, which has created a link between aesthetic appeal, structural optimisation, precise definition of final geometric form, and practicality of construction. The paper describes how optimally designed flexibly-formed concrete structural elements may be designed and constructed. It is shown that accurate prediction of final bulbous shapes is possible, that control of structural capacity at any section of the element is feasible, and that highly-aesthetic outcomes are achievable.