Short answer

Designers should explore segmented and demountable structural systems that leverage material efficiency and facilitate reuse to reduce the environmental impact of buildings.

Field: Final Production
Source: Academic Publication (2023)
Method: Proof-of-concept prototype development and fabrication.
Evidence: Strong effect

A novel segmented thin-shell concrete flooring system, inspired by masonry fan vaults, offers a materially efficient and reusable alternative to traditional monolithic concrete floors. This final production research insight is drawn from a 2023 study published in Academic Publication. Using Proof-of-concept prototype development and fabrication., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Designers should explore segmented and demountable structural systems that leverage material efficiency and facilitate reuse to reduce the environmental impact of buildings.

Study

Final ProductionRecentStrong effect

Segmented Concrete Shell Flooring Enables Component Reuse and Reduces Embodied Carbon

A novel segmented thin-shell concrete flooring system, inspired by masonry fan vaults, offers a materially efficient and reusable alternative to traditional monolithic concrete floors.

Academic Publication · 2023

Key Findings

01The proposed segmented shell flooring system is materially efficient due to its thin-shell nature and fan vault geometry.
02The design facilitates disassembly without requiring cutting of concrete or grout, enabling component reuse.
03Digital fabrication techniques can be employed for creating the curved profiles required for the system.

Application

Design takeaway

Designers should explore segmented and demountable structural systems that leverage material efficiency and facilitate reuse to reduce the environmental impact of buildings.

How to apply

Consider modular or segmented construction approaches for new projects, focusing on connection details that allow for easy disassembly and component reuse.

Project actions

01When designing structural elements, think about how they will be assembled and disassembled.
02Investigate how different geometric forms, like shells, can optimize material usage.

Method & Evidence

AimCan a demountable and reconfigurable segmented fan concrete shell flooring system be developed to reduce embodied carbon and facilitate component reuse in construction?

MethodProof-of-concept prototype development and fabrication.

ProcedureA scale prototype of the segmented thin-shell concrete flooring system was fabricated and assembled, utilizing digital fabrication techniques for the curved vault profile. The design leverages the funicular potential of shell structures and the geometry of masonry fan vaults to create a lightweight and materially efficient system.

ContextConstruction and building design

Variables

IV["Segmentation of the concrete shell","Fan vault geometry"]

DV["Material efficiency","Ease of disassembly","Potential for reuse","Embodied carbon reduction"]

CV["Concrete mix design","Scale of prototype","Digital fabrication method"]

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Addresses a significant environmental issue in construction.
+Proposes an innovative structural solution with practical fabrication methods.

Limitations

The prototype was at a small scale, so real-world performance and construction challenges might differ.

Reliability & validity

The findings are based on a single prototype, limiting generalizability. Further testing with multiple prototypes and under various load conditions would enhance reliability and validity.

Think critically

How might the long-term structural integrity and maintenance requirements of a segmented concrete shell system compare to traditional monolithic construction?

Design Principles

"Prioritize material efficiency and design for disassembly to enable circularity in construction."

This design addresses the significant embodied carbon associated with conventional concrete floor structures and the challenges of disassembly and reuse. By enabling components to be reconfigured and reused, it aligns with circular economy principles in construction.

What This Means for Your Design

This research shows how to make concrete floors in a way that uses less concrete, is lighter, and can be taken apart and used again, which is better for the environment.

How to use in your project

1.Use this research to justify the selection of materials and construction methods that reduce environmental impact and promote reuse in your design project.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

The development of a demountable and reconfigurable segmented fan concrete shell flooring system, as demonstrated by Nuh, Orr, and Oval (2023), offers a compelling precedent for reducing the embodied carbon of building structures. This approach prioritizes material efficiency through thin-shell geometry and facilitates component reuse by designing for disassembly, aligning with circular economy principles in construction.

Source

Academic Publication

The design and development of a demountable and reconfigurable segmented fan concrete shell flooring system

journal · 2023

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about segmented concrete shell flooring enables component reuse and reduces embodied carbon?: Designers should explore segmented and demountable structural systems that leverage material efficiency and facilitate reuse to reduce the environmental impact of buildings. Evidence: Academic Publication (2023).
Why does "Segmented Concrete Shell Flooring Enables Component Reuse and Reduces Embodied Carbon" matter for design?: This design addresses the significant embodied carbon associated with conventional concrete floor structures and the challenges of disassembly and reuse. By enabling components to be reconfigured and reused, it aligns with circular economy principles in construction.
How can designers apply this research?: Designers should explore segmented and demountable structural systems that leverage material efficiency and facilitate reuse to reduce the environmental impact of buildings.
What were the main findings?: The proposed segmented shell flooring system is materially efficient due to its thin-shell nature and fan vault geometry.. The design facilitates disassembly without requiring cutting of concrete or grout, enabling component reuse.. Digital fabrication techniques can be employed for creating the curved profiles required for the system.
What research method was used?: Proof-of-concept prototype development and fabrication..
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2023 journal from Academic Publication.
What should I do differently in my next project?: Consider modular or segmented construction approaches for new projects, focusing on connection details that allow for easy disassembly and component reuse.
What are the limitations?: The study was a scale prototype, and full-scale implementation may present further challenges in assembly, jointing, and long-term durability.