Unit -5

DIGITAL AND
TENSILE
MATERIALS

AR 3015 CONTEMPORARY BUILDING

MATRIALS
 UNIT V
Types of materials and its constitution, manufacturing and construction
technology requirement for 3D printed buildings structure and
Extraterrestrial printed structures. Tensile fabric structure by digital printing.
Translucent fabric, thin-film photovoltaics, texlon foil, PVC (poly vinyl
chloride) coated polyester cloth and PTFE (poly tetra fluro ethlene) (teflon)
coated glass cloth.
INTRODUCTION:

 A tensile structure is a construction of elements carrying only

tension.
 The term tensile should not be confused (disordered) with
tensegrity
(பதறறம)
 Tensile structures are the most common type of thin shell
structures.
 TENSILE STRUCTRES bring style, curvature, translucency, and
clear large
spans to building scales.
 Tensile structures have long been used in tents, where the
guy ropes and tent poles provide pre-tension to the fabric
and allow it to withstand loads.
 The concept was mastered by German architect and
engineer FREI OTTO, whose first use of the idea was in
the construction of the WEST GERMAN PAVILION AT
EXPO 67 in Montreal.
 Since the 1960s tensile structures have been promoted by
designers and engineers.
 Materials
classification

Membrane Cable Compression

materials s Members

Structural Mesh
coated fabrics
fabrics
 Two main types of materials used are:
 MEMBRANE MATERIALS i.e. TENSILE FABRIC
 CABLES
 COMPRESSION MEMBERS.
 The materials used are constantly being developed, as
sustainability and
performance become more and more important.
MEMBRANE MATERIALS :
 The biological based woven cotton and canvas , which we use to
create the first fabric structures have been replaced by some of the
most technical man made fabrics, to achieve permanent and
lasting fabric architecture.
 Modern coated fabrics have similar aesthetic properties, with some
significant performance advantages, such as increased strength,
cleaning,
print ability, solar shading, acoustic characteristics.
 They also resist the absorption of moisture, resulting in much
longer life spans.
 In general we use two generic types of coated fabrics:
 STRUCTURAL COATED FABRICS
 MESH FABRICS
STRUCTURAL COATED FABRICS:
 A coated structural fabric consists
of a woven base cloth
stabilized(become stable) and
protected by a coating on both
sides.
 The base cloth consists of warp
threads running the length of the
roll and weft threads running
across the width.
 The woven base cloth gives the
structural strength while the
coating gives weather
proofing, colour and
other technical qualities.
MESH FABRICS:
 A mesh fabric is a coated cloth with spacing between the thread
bundles.
 With some meshes for interiors use the threads are coated before
weaving.
 Due to openness factor of the mesh they are primarily used as
shading
and light diffusing device.
CABLES :
 Cables c a n b e of mild
steel, high strength steel
(drawn
carbon steel), stainless
steel, polyester or
bamboo.
 Structural cables are m
a d e of a series of small
strands twisted or bound
together to form a much
larger cable.
 Steel cables are either
spiral strand, where
circular rods are twisted
together and "glued"
using a polymer, or locked
coil strand, where
individual interlocking steel
strands form the cable
(often with a spiral strand
core).
COMPRESSION MEMBERS :
 Compression members
are structural elements
that are pushed
together or carry a load,
more technically they
are subjected only to
axial compressive forces.
FORMS OF
TENSILE
STRUCTURES
FORMS :

While it is possible to have flat tensile membrane, the key to strength

& stability lies in the principle of double curvature.
 There are in all two types of double curvatures:
 ANTICLASTIC CURVE
 SINCLASTIC CURVE
THE BASIC FORMS OF TENSILE
ARCHITECTURE HYPAR
 Traditional sail like form
 Theory of hypar often applied to other polygonal shapes
 Complex undulating forms c an be obtained with multiple high
and low
connection points.
CONIC
 Loads are spread horizontally around the full fabric form &
vertically from apex to base.
BARREL SHAPPED VAULT :
 Although featuring double curvature it ca n only be created with
a steel, aluminium or timber structure tensioning the membrane
placed to create the curve.

INFLATABLE :
 Adopts sinclastic curve to create dimensionally stable shape .
 Inflatable cushions are created where constant air pressure form
the fabric into a shape
 Commonly used with a clear foil material called ETFE foil , PVC ca n
also be
used.
TEMPORARY INSTALLATIONS :
 Fabric panels are smaller to reduce storage & often the way
we work with the loads has to be changed.
 Tensile structures are particularly situated for commercial
schemes,
where projects serves life of 20 to 30 years before it
becomes outdated and requires redevelopment.
SOLAR CONTROL:
 Traditionally curtains & blinds are used to control
light.
 We look for ways in which the light transmission ca n be
controlled,
diffused & reflected.
 Combining practical Application &
aesthetic element is the key benefit.
INSULATIO
N:
PRINTING :
 PRINTING CONSIDERATIONS
 color and size of the image
 lighting of the structure
 internal or external use
 print/fabric opacity
 required remount-ability
 fire rating

ENVIRONMENTAL
 As most of the materials can recycled or reused, the environmental
impact of TENSILE STRUCTURE is far less.

PROCESS
 Designing a TENSILE STRUCTURE is as much an ART, as it is a
SCIENCE.
 Throughout the designing process decisions are ma de on how the
canopy will be constructed to meet the aesthetic, functional &
engineering requirements.
ENGINEERING :

 Environmental loads like wind loads, suctions, pressure,

snow loads, snow drifts, they attack the fabric & the
fabric withstands it.

MANUFACTURE :
 It c a n b e entirely manufactured off site.
 Large clear span spaces are required for the fabrication of
tensile structures,as the surface area of piece can reach
hundred’s of square metres.
 Two processes are involved in customizing a whole piece of
fabric viz.
CUTTING & JOINING.
CUTTING : The large piece of fabric is first cut according to the
requirement using machine

JOINING :
 WELDING
 Two pieces of fabric are mostly joined
by WELDING them together.
 Some fabric are joined using RADIO
 FREQUENCY WELDING.
 Not all fabrics c a n b e welded easily,
an d
some require a bonding tape to
ensure that
they are welded properly.

STITCHING :
 Stitching is done for small scale
projects and
for reinforcement in som patches of
larger membrane.
 UV stable thread to join the material.

GLUEING :
 For some materials like silicone coated
INSTALLATIO
N:
TENSILE STRUCTURE MATERIALS :
Structural Fabric
Structural fabric is the material that defines lightweight tensile
structures.

Requirements
 As a primary structural element, it must have the strength to span
between
supporting elements, carry snow and wind loads, and be safe to
walk on.
 As enclosure element, it needs to be airtight, waterproof, fire
resistant and durable.
 As daily use element, it requires to transmit daylight, reflect
heat, control sound, and be easy to keep clean.
 Sample Materials
 Fiberglass, Polyester Cloth, PVC, Teflon.

Polyester Tensile Teflon-coated Fiberglass

Roof Fabric
RIGID STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS

Rigid structural elements, such as Masts, Struts and Arches, are to

support the flexible fabric and cable membrane, generate its
peaks, form its edges, and create the anchors that hold it down .

Requirements

The rigid elements in tensile structures must be strong, light,

reliable, readily available, easy to fabricate, transport and erect.

Sample Materials

Steel, Reinforced Concrete, Pre-stress Concrete, Laminated Wood,

Aluminum, Composite Synthetic Materials.

Steel A- Concrete
Frame Piers
What Is an STL File?
The STL file format has become the Rapid Prototyping industry's
defacto standard data transmission format, and is the format
required to interact with Quickparts.
This format approximates the surfaces of a solid model with triangles.
For a simple model such as the box shown in figure 4 (a), its surfaces
ca n be approximated with twelve triangles, as shown in figure 4 (b).
The more complex the surface, the more triangles produced, as
shown in figure 4 (c). Figure 4: (a) (b) (c) The triangulation (or poly
count) of a surface will cause faceting of the 3D model. The
parameters used for outputting a STL will affect how much
faceting occurs (Figures 4 (a) a n d Figure 4 (b) ). You cannot
build the model smoother than the STL file. If the STL is coarse and
faceted the physical 3D printed model will be coarse and faceted as
well. However, the smoother/ less faceted your surface is, (the higher
the poly count or triangulation) the larger your file. 3D printing ca n
only accept a certain file size; therefore, it is important to find a
balance between your model, its desired surface, and the 3D
printing process of your choice. STL means Stereo Lithography a n d
c a n b e exported into most C A D software suites, like Autodesk
Fusion 360. For this reason, it has become the acronym” Standard
Tessellation Language” .
 The STL format only utilizes the three-dimensional description of the
surface geometry without generating non-relevant information for
printing like texture or color, leading to the popularity within the
community . Each triangle, which represents the surface, is
characterized by three vertices
and the related unit normal .
Since a prototypical 3D model is closed, also called waterproofed,
each vertex is part of three or even more triangles. These
redundant vertices are memory expensive even when they are
stored in ASCII representation. Most 3D printable models you c an
find on the internet are in the STL file format.
The existence of this ecosystem, combined with STL-b ased
software investments ma de by 3D printer manufacturers, has
given rise to a large userbase that’s heavily invested in the
format
CABLE :

Cables serve a number of functions in structure

tensile reinforcement of the fabric applications:
where tension
linear the spans and
support elements along ridges,
stresses get
valleys a n d edges; tie-backs and stays to stabilize
too rigid
large;
support element.

Requirements

The cables need to be light, high-strength and flexible to some extent.

Sample Materials

High Strength Bridge Strand, Steel, Kavlar Fiber, Glass Fiber.

WHAT IS A TENSILE FABRIC STRUCTURE?

 Tensile fabric structures are characterised by the tensioning of

a membrane system, typically with wire or cable. Using
tension throughout structure provides the membrane with
critical structural support.
 Tensile architecture is the most common form of thin-shell
structures.
 Tensile structures (otherwise known as tension structures) ca n hold
many
forms although it is generally b a s ed on two basic building
designs; the Saddle and the Cone.
 This creates dramatic structural architecture and offers a variety
of free form designs. The tensioning of the fabric eliminates a nd
creases in the membrane a n d is strong enough to withstand
any severe weather a nd potential damage.
WHEN TO USE A TENSILE FABRIC ?
 Tensile membranes ca n be used in a variety of situations.
They use
less material than traditional structures and as a result,
 weigh less and are easier to transport.
They are flexible, robust and c an be tailored to your exact
requirements. As well as being practical, tensile fabric
structures are a showpiece feature that offers an impressive
local focal point.
WHERE TO USE A TENSILE FABRIC STRUCTURE?

 Tension structures ca n be used as a showpiece element that

stands out against both traditional and modern buildings, urban
focal point and local icons.

 Membrane canopies are ideal for wide column-free areas. The

structures c a n span unsupported lengths of up to 150 feet
a n d up to twice that amount with steel cable nets, and air
structures ca n span thousands of feet withoutcolumns!

 Our tensile structures are great for temporary buildings, from

schools and education centres or travelling exhibits.

 Need a prefab modular building? Our metal-framed tensioned

structures are the most cost-effective modular frame buildings
available.

 Tensile structures are brilliant, lightweight additions to existing

buildings and ca n act as canopies, skylights, sheltered
walkways, shaded areas or atrium roofing.
Tensile fabric structures are all prefabricated to engineered

drawings and calculations, and applications include:

 Entrances
 Walkways
 Sports Stadiums
 Retail
 Exhibitions
 Landmarks
AN ANY SHAPE BE CREATED?
 As previously mentioned, tensile fabric structures are based on
two basic building blocks of tensile structures. However, this is
not to say that they are not versatile. The beauty of a tensile
fabric structure is the ability to design and create them around
your specific requirements.
 Every canopy uses the curves and principles of either the Saddle
or the Cone, or combines elements of both. The Saddle is a
hyperbolic paraboloid which means that it is a surface made
by two high points and two low points. The geometry of the
surface is orthogonal or made by the warping of a rectangular
grid.
 The Cone is like a volcano shape using a radial geometry
created by radians and hoops to create surfaces. These two
forms c an be combined to create an infinite number of
permutations much like the circle and the square with classical
architecture.
WHAT FABRICS ARE USED?

All fabrics will stretch when pulled in opposite directions to create

tension however, some fabrics exhibit different characteristics. There
are currently four types of fabrics that are used today for tensile
fabric structures:
PVC Coated Polyester Fabric
 This is a cost-effective fabric having a 10 to 20-year lifespan. It has
been used in numerous applications worldwide for over 40 years
and it is easy to move for temporary building applications. PVC
meets B.S 7837 for Fire Code.
PTFE Coated Glass Fabric (permanent structures only)
 This has a 30-year lifespan and is completely inert. It does not
degrade under ultraviolet rays and is considered non-
combustible by most building codes. PTFE meets B.S 476 Class 0
for Fire Code.
ETFE Foils (permanent structures only)
 This is used in inflated pillow structures where thermal properties are
important. The foil ca n be transparent or fritted much like
laminated glass products to allow any level of translucency.
PVC Glass Fabrics
 This material is used for internal tensile sails, such as features in
atriums, glare control systems, with a minimal need for
maintenance. PVC glass fabrics meet B.S 476 Class 0 for Fire
Code.
 ARE TENSILE STRUCTURES ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE?

 Tensile structures generally use light coloured roofs to reduce the

heat that is attracted. They use very small amounts of material for
large spans; they allow for natural ventilation using the
Venturi effect (Venturi Effect The Venturi Effect is utilized in
buildings for natural ventilation. ... The purposeful creation of positive
and negative air pressure zones can create an increased air flow
through a building or across a surface creating a cooling effect)
and they provide translucency for natural daylighting. PVC
polyester, expanded PTFE, polyolefin fabrics and ETFE foils ca n be
recycled by the supplier for lower grade applications.
TYPES OF FABRIC STRUCTURES

 Saddle roof
 Mast supported
 Arch supported
 Combinations

Saddle roof :

 Four or more point system when the

fabric is
stretched between a set of alternating
high and low points
 Mast supported :
 Tent-like in appearance, mast supported structures typically have
one or sometimes several peaks that are supported by either
interior or perimeter masts.
 The fabric is attached to the interior mast by special connections,
usually a bale ring or cable loop.

 Mast-supported structures can also be supported by adjacent

buildings. The peaks of a mast supported structure are
determined by the design and how the fabric is attached.

 Openings are typically ovoid or elliptical. The fabric that extends

from the top of the opening is seamed and ca n necessitate
patterning.

 Mast supported systems are suitable for long span roofs.

 Arch supported
 Curved compression members are used as the main
supporting elements and cross arches are used for lateral
stability.
 In a plane arch, large differences between the thrust lines and
the main geometry will produce large bending moments that
in turn produce large changes in shape and high stresses in
the arch chord section.
 One method to significantly reduce these effects is to tie or
restrain
points along the arch chord to reduce the initial large
deformations of the chord
 The buckling length of the arch chord c a n also b e
reduced by discretely or continuously supporting the chord
with tension elements or systems comprised of cables or
membranes.
 Combination
 Combination of several support
types.

 ADVANTAGE :
• Longer life cycles of materials.
• Materials can be re-used in form.
• Most materials are completely
recyclable.
• Less impact on site.
• Less construction debris after
demolition.
• Unique designs
• Lightweight and flexible
• Environmentally sensitive
• High strength weight ratio

DISADVANTAGE
• Little to no rigidity
• Loss of tension is dangerous for
stability
• Thermal values limit use
 GRANSTAND TENSILE MEMBRANE STRUCTURES
 Designs and builds grandstand structures for a variety of sporting
and event
facilities to provide shade or shelter from weather conditions such as
 FabriTec
sun, hail, snow, and rain.
has built many sporting events uses
baseball, football,
grandstands for soccer, including and
swimming,
are in use by collegiate, professional,tennis. FabriTec level
and Olympic tensile structures
venues around
the world.
 Built in half the time and at around half the cost of a conventional
building,
precision-crafted tensile membrane structures give architects,
engineers, and developers a great alternative to conventional
construction. There are shapes, forms, and surfaces that c an be
created with a lightweight fabric architecture that cannot be
replicated with any other method of construction.
 Tensile grandstands are low maintenance, provide abundant natural
light, and are sustainable.
Materials
• Membrane
ETFE
foil
PTFE
PVC
fabrics
• Support structures, cables,
fittings Cold-formed carbon steel
 3D
PRINTING
TECHNOLOG
Y
INTRODUCTION :

 Printing with a three-

dimentional (3D) printer; is
the process of converting
objects modeled in the
computerized environment
into real objects in layers
using the required raw
materials. The 3D printer,
seen as a complex and
expensive technology in
the years it was invented.

 However, thebeen
industry it has years.
one of
over most important
the Since date
facts of
1983, the 3D printer,
invented
the Charlesthe
new technologyW. shows
rapid developments and
entered into every field of
various industry, such as
automotive, aerospace and
space technology and
medicine, today .
 Tissue engineering
and regenerative
development have
made it possible to
print such
organs or tissues with
the help of bio-
printers produced
by 3D printing
 technology.achievemen
These
attract ts the attention
differen industries
of and
t fields about 3D
scienc technology.
e Theversion of the
3D printing
printing
concrete is currently
being studied in the
construction industry
applications and
academia .
What is 3D Printing?
 3D printing or additive manufacturing is a process of
making three dimensional solid objects from a digital
file.

 The creation of a 3D printed object is achieved using additive

processes. In an additive process an object is created by laying
down successive layers of material until the object is created. Each
of these layers ca n be seen as a thinly sliced cross-section of the
object.

 3D printing is the opposite of subtractive manufacturing which is

cutting out
/ hollowing out a piece of metal or plastic with for instance a
milling machine.

 3D printing enables you to produce complex shapes using

less material than traditional manufacturing methods.
 Today, with advances in technology, it is possible to print engineering
structures with a 3D printer .
 3D printing has become an innovative and promising method, with
an increase in use for cementitious material.
 The use of this printing technique in waste materials and recyclable
materials is
under investigation .

H3dprinted–mudhouse- ttps://www.smar
tcitiesworld.net/news/news/first-3d-printed-mud-house-3412
 Nasa reveals that ―we will not be able to get everything we
need from our world for the habitats that will be created on the
surface of the mars and moon, and even beyond, and the
explorers who will go there.-

 Because it is impossible to take all these conventional resources

from our world, we are competing for technological ideas and
innovative inventions to create structures that will enable the
establishment of habitats that ca n be lived with 3D printers in
places where we are going

 Nasa also has intensive activities in 3D concrete printing

works .

 In global and regional terms all countries and research groups

that are effective in construction industry should change their
focus on revolutionary innovations and technological
developments for determination and management of models
and methods to investigate and additional studies on 3D
printing.
 Winsun: 3D Printed House (2013) – 3D Printed Office
(2016)

 In 2013 a Shanghai based company called Winsun

produced 10 small full- size prefabricated homes in just
one day.

 The material that is extruded from the printer’s nozzle is a

trademarked mixture consisting of concrete, cement, glass
fiber reinforced gypsum, and fiber reinforced plastics
bonded together with a proprietary additive that enables
the concrete to fully cure within a couple of days
(depending on compressive strength). 50% of this material
is sourced from recycled construction waste.

 The key to this mixture is finding a balance between flow-

ability a n d build- ability so that the concrete c a n
support itself without the need for formwork, while also
maintaining a sufficient compressive strength. Although
Winsun does not release their specific design.
 It must be noted that these homes are not entirely printed on site,
but rather prefabricated in a factory and shipped on site where
the walls are placed onto pre poured slab foundations and
reinforced with traditional steel reinforcement.
 Additionally, the roof, doors, and windows are not printed using 3DP
technology. Each wall is printed in a hollow fashion with an internal
diagonal zig-zagging reinforcement system .
 This allows for the architects to implement calculated paths for
insulation, plumbing, and electrical within their computer aided
designs .
 Three years later, Winsun used the same printer and material to
produce the worlds’ first 3DP office building for the United Arab
Emirates National Committee as their headquarters for the Dubai
Future Foundation (DFF).
 This 2,700 square foot building was also printed offsite in a
factory, cut in half for shipping purposes, and
assembled onsite. The entire crew consisted of 18
laborers, including one printer operator, seven laborers
for assembly, and ten laborers for mechanical and electrical .
 The total project duration from beginning of printing to finished
assembly took only 17 days for a total of $140,000 in construction
and labor costs .
 Time, Cost, and Materials Savings
1)Time Savings: Winsun’s 3DP technique for the construction of both the 10 houses and
office building in Dubai were reported to have, on average, a 30% schedule reduction than
that of similar buildings using traditional construction methods (futureofconstruction.org,
2016).

2)Cost Savings: Compared to traditional on-site construction methods, Winsun was

able to save about 80% on construction and labor costs

3)Materials Savings: The accuracy and precision of Winsun’s 3D concrete printer results in
30-60% less material waste as compared to traditional concrete placing (depending on
size of printed components). This reduction in waste accounts for absence of formwork
since Winsun’s fast- curing concrete mixture is able to support itself while being extruded
layer upon layer. Additionally, 50% of the concrete material used has been sourced from
construction waste
 ADVANTAGES OF 3DP
 3DP technology offers many advantages to the construction
industry. The four main areas where 3DP ca n have the most
significant effects are in labor efficiency, time and cost savings,
environmental/economic impacts, and design complexity.
LIMITATIONS OF 3DP
 Although the potential advantages of 3DP seem promising, the
existing state of the technology possesses many limiting factors that
impair its growth in the construction industry.
 The first and most obvious limitation is the sheer size of the printers.
 Material is next largest limiting factor. As it exists today, construction
grade
3DP technology is only compatible with various concrete
mixtures, and
plastics. Such concrete mixtures range from lightweight air-entrained
concrete, to eco-friendly concrete mixtures that utilize construction
waste, to structural concrete.
 There is also high reluctance from general contracting companies
to invest in 3DP technology.
 Building codes and regulations also pose as a large barrier for 3D
printing in construction. Most building codes and procurement
standards make no mention of 3DP technology therefore making it
difficult to legally implement 3DP components onto large scale
projects.
How 3D Printing Has Transformed the Construction
Industry ?

Reduced Injury Reduced Quicker New

Material Costs Constructio Market
n s
Cheaper Improved Form
Constructio
n
• BIM (Building Information Modeling) BIM is a digital
representation of physical and functional characteristics of a
facility creating a shared knowledge resource for information
about it forming a reliable basis for decisions during its life cycle,
from earliest conception to demolition.

• (RIBA and CPIC) “a coordinated set of processes, supported by

technology that adds value through creating, managing and
sharing the properties of an asset throughout its lifecycle.

• An innovative and collaborative way of working that is

underpinned by digital technologies which support more efficient
methods of designing, creating and maintaining the built
• environment
The . industr has facing a paradigm shift to
construction
increase: y efficienc
been infrastructure
(i) value, quality
productivity, (ii) reduce:
sustainability, y, lifecycle costs,
and lead times and
duplications, via effective collaboration and
construction
communication projects . of stakeholders in

• Building Information (BIM) seeks to integrate

Modeling throughout the processes
entire lifecycle .
• If used appropriately, BIM c an facilitate a more integrated design
and construction process and generate substantial benefits. For
instance, fewer design coordination errors, more energy efficient
design solutions, faster cost estimation, reduced production cycle
times and lower.

• BIM introduces a new work paradigm offering powerful

perspectives for the integration and coordination of different
domains and the processes involved in the design, construction
and operation of buildings. The base schema for the BIM data is
Industry Foundation Classes, an international standard for the
exchange of BIM data, which provides a generic data schema
covering among others architectural, building service and
structural elements.
• Building Modeling is an integrated process designed
Information and m to
generate ana ge building data from design through
construction. This process ca n also be used in building life cycle,
maintenance, operations and cost analysis. The BIM process utilizes
3D software for increased project coordination and communication
with multiple trades to provide a better end-product for the user .
• It might be tempting to write 3D Building Information Modeling (BIM)
off as a little more than 3D animation, 3D design, or 3D CAD. But
unlike some other model-based processes, BIM has the promising
potential to guide businesses by evaluation through every step of
the construction process and even after construction is complete.
According to the US.
• National Building Information Model Standard Project Committee, BIM
is a “digital representation of physical and functional characteristics
of a facility. A BIM is a shared knowledge resource for information
about a facility forming a reliable basis for decisions during its life-
cycle; defined as existing from earliest conception to demolition.”
• 706 Mehmet Sakin et al. / Energy Procedia 134 (2017) 702–711
Author name
/ Energy Procedia 00 (2017) 000–000 5 BIM, meanwhile, is at the
heart of the 3D printed building movement providing the software
to govern the design and construction process.
• Austrian architect, Wolf D Prix, is pioneering the use of robots at one of
his latest projects the Museum of Contemporary Art and
Planning Exhibition ( MOCAPE) in Shenzhen, China.
• Led by a BIM system, robots will mound and assemble, weld and
polish the hyperbolic metal plates that make up the museum’s
irregularly curved stainless-steel center. Combining robots with the
use of 3D-printed building components will make it much easier to
create buildings with complex shapes, Prix said.
• It is quicker too he points out, “Normally this part of the building
would take eight months with 160 workers on the site,” said Prix.
“Now we need eight workers on site, and it takes 12 weeks.” With
quicker construction, less labor, lower cost, as well as greater control
and customization to create a leaner, greener, smarter building it’s
fair to say that the invention of 3D printed buildings, as Schmidt
suggested, has m ade it easy to predict the future of construction.
• Surprisingly, the construction industry has not changed much in the
last 100 years. There are new things happening in mega-
construction projects; larger skyscrapers, longer bridges and other
huge structures; but not in day- to-day construction; that’s pretty
much stayed the same.
• Other than a few innovative materials and techniques, along with a
greater reliance on power tools, home building is pretty much the
same today, as it was 100 years ago. This might all be changing soon.
3D printing, which has been the realm of engineering test labs, may
make a drastic change in the ways that our building structures are
built.
• In recent years, 3D printers have moved out of the engineering
laboratory, where they’ve been hidden for over 20 years, and are
beginning to be used for other things. Artists have discovered this
new medium, and yes, it’s being looked at for construction as well .
• Process of 3D Printing of Buildings Construction by BIM in Figure 3. A
model is prepared in a 3D modeling application.
LIMITATIONS OF 3D PRINTING IN CONSTRUCTION
There are certain problems with current 3d printing technologies which must be addressed
during and before wide spread
adoption of the technology.
1) Foundations: 3d Printing is not ideal for in-situ casting of foundations and will require
either the gantry system to be disassembled prior to backfilling for the plinth or will
require the foundations to be constructed by precast elements or by conventional
technologies.

2)Shear and Seismic Strength: Printed elements have weaker shear strength along the
boundaries between two adjacent layers and elements such as columns become vulnerable
to failure along those axes. The structures have also not been evaluated for their response
to seismic loads and methods for including reinforcements are not well explored.

3)Spans: To print large spans in-situ printers either need temporary supports or the
elements need to be printed off site and then moved into place. This adds a step into the
process and required some additional equipment and manpower. Alternatively, curved
shapes can be used to give larger spans and better support systems.
4)Implications to labour market: After Agriculture, Construction is the industry which
contribute the most to the labour market of India. Adoption of this technology would
significantly impact manpower requirements, which would lead to a significant rise in
unemployment among the classes typically involved as labourers and workers on
site. The increase in mechanisation would impact the overall state of the economy in
unpredictable ways, especially when seen in the context of increasing mechanisation in other
similar fields such as transportation and manufacturing. However, it will also lead to skilled,
green and dignified jobs, offering better work environments.

5)Lack of Standards: Currently 3D printing has only limited standardisation worldwide. While
the industry is still developing standards for consumer grade plastic printers, several
organisations are developing construction printers of various scales. Standardisation in IS and
ASTM codes will become very important within the next decade.

6)Intellectual Property Rights: Many of the technologies being developed right now are
currently under patent, with most scheduled to expire around 2030. As these technologies
cross over into the public domain, the market shall evolve rapidly to incorporate these into all
kinds of construction applications.
 TRANSLUCENT FABRIC

 Otherwise known as semi – opaque, this group of fabrics consists of

materials that are woven in a solid form and material with an open
weave which includes holes and patterns.
 Fishnet fashion fabric, lace and even hessian could be considered
semi opaque, simply because there are some parts you can see
through and some you can’t. The group which is more
considered translucent consists of fabric with a complete weave
that has semi see through visibility
 This fabric ranges in translucency. Some you c an see slightly
through when the fabric is flat and some show a lot more
translucency when held up to
light or over objects. The images below demonstrate this change
depending on light and where the fabric is placed.
 As you c an see with the metallic lame fabric here, when laid flat it
appears
opaque and you can’t see through to the text. Yet when the
fabric is raised even slightly it becomes very obvious the fabric is in
fact translucent. So even though the fabric is opaque, when flat it
certainly doesn’t belong in the opaque category.
TEXLON FOIL
1.Foiltec designs, engineers and manufactures Texlon Foil Systems, intelligent dynamic systems
which are capable of adjusting their shading, thermal and aesthetic characteristics in response to
specific programmatic and climatic requirements.
2.Texlon is a cladding and roofing system consisting of two or more layers of ETFE film welded
into panels and anchored to an aluminium perimeter frame which can be attached to a support
structure. Whereas in inflated buildings the load is borne by compressed air, the air supplied to
the Texlon system plays a secondary role.
3.Although air is important for insulation, Texlon transparent roof systems do not require air to
maintain their structural integrity.
 THIN FILM PHOTOVOLTAICS
Characteristics of thin film photovoltaics
 Thin film photovoltaic modules produce power at low cost per watt. They are ideal for large
scale solar farms, as well as Building Integrated Photovoltaic applications (BIPV). They
benefit from generating consistent power, not only at elevated temperatures, but also on
cloudy, overcast days a nd at low sun angles.
 thin film photovoltaics c a n offer excellent aesthetics. Thin film photovoltaic modules
also benefit from a relatively small drop in power output under partial shadowing when
compared with crystalline silicon photovoltaics.
 This gives thin film photovoltaic modules greater design flexibility when integrated into the
building envelope.
 Thin film photovoltaics consist of a stack of extremely thin photosensitive layers
sandwiched between a top Transparent Conductive Oxide
(TCO) coating a nd a back contact. The photovoltaic
layers are laminated between a TCO glass such as NSG TEC™, and a low cost
backing material, such as standard or thermallstrengthened Pilkington Optifloat™ Clear
glass.
Thin Film photovoltaic technologies

NSG TEC™ can be used with a number of thin film photovoltaic technologies, including amorphous silicon
(a-Si), tandem (a-Si/μ-Si) – a combination of amorphous and microcrystalline silicon, cadmium telluride
(CdTe), copper indium (gallium) diselenide (CIS, CIGS) and dye-sensitised solar cells (DSSC).
1.Pilkington Optiwhite™ range of products may also be used as a base for TCO deposition, or as a
top cover plate for CIS and CIGS thin film photovoltaics. Pilkington Optiwhite™ is a range of ultra-
clear float low iron glass, which maximises the solar energy
transmittance and, therefore, the efficiency of the photovoltaic modules.
PTFE (POLY TETRA FLURO ETHLENE) (TEFLON) COATED GLASS
CLOTH:

 Are fabrics woven from continuous filament glass yarns and coated
with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) to give a stiff, flexible, fairly smooth
surfaced material that is chemically inert with excellent release
properties.

 Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is a fully fluorinated polymer which is

semi- crystalline, semi-opaque, and white. It has exceptional
chemical resistance being unaff ected by nearly all chemicals and
also has a very high oxygen index (i.e. is fundamentally non-flam).

 It has a very low coefficient of friction and is stable in high

temperatures. It is soft, easily deformed, highly susceptible to creep,
and low in strength with poor radiation resistance.

 It is relatively expensive and cannot be melt-processed (even

though in theory it melts at 327 °C, the melt viscosity of normal
grades is virtually infinite) and so is formed by powder sintering
metods.
APPLICATIONS:
 Industrial Polytetrafluoroethylene coated
applicationsof
(PTFE 75/ Glass 25) include glass fabric curtains
release material, protective
and
conveyor belts e.g. in food processing machines, seals, high
temperature electrical insulation, O-rings, bearings, non-stick
coatings and linings for vessels etc.
 Its rare properties make it valuable for numerous laboratory
applications.
 PTFE Adhesive Glass Cloth (with protect yellow paper) is well
known as
its smooth surface, non stick, chemical resistance and high
temperature
resistance and insulation prosperities.
 It is widely used in packaging, heat molding, laminating,
sealing and
electrical industries etc 。
 PTFE adhesive fabric is enhanced by fiberglass fabric, which
improved itscontribut
tensile strength.
excellenIt could
strengtbe and
used in plastic molding
stability
except additional
exhibit essentially
e applications,
zero
t flow it is easydimensional
hunder toheat
install . a
Anndd pressure
we
, ca n
cut theasize
n d according to theresistant
are highly customer requirements.Also in tape
to cut-through.
 Width is 1000
and belt form.mm a n d in continuous length.
 Glass cloth
 PROPERTIE
S: Top side provide g o o d characteristicsof PTFE, electrica
characteristics,
such as heat resistance, l
resistance, low
chemical coefficient and non- friction
 Flame
adhesiveness.
resistance M a d e by insulating material.
 C a n smoothly adhere, wind, band, a n d seal.

PVC
 Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) coated polyester, is the most commonly
selected material for tensile membrane structures. PVC is
chosen for
its excellent strength, water proof properties, flexibility,
transparency, and durability.
 It is the most cost-effective and versatile tensile fabric, and
meets a large range of colour and application needs, both
permanent and temporary. P V C is treated to b e stain, fire a n d
UV resistant.
Life span
 The approximate design life of PVC coasted polyester fabric
is 15-30 years, depending on grade of PVC selected,
location, and exposure
to environmental pollution. PVC fabric warranties c an
range
anywhere from 5 to 15 years, depending on the supplier
a nd application.
Solar Transmission
 PVC fabric reflects around 89% of solar energy, allowing 9
% visible
transmission through the fabric. The rate of transmission is
dependent on the colour of the fabric, coatings, printings
and environment. These coatings ca n contain anti-fungicides.
 Therefore, the stronger the self-cleaning properties of the fabric,
the less light transmission is interrupted by dirt adherence and
aging of the fabric.
Applications
 PVC polyester is used on structures all over the world and in
every environment. Applications include:
covered walkways, car park
structures, entrance features, outdoor classrooms, play
areas, sport court enclosures, swimming pool enclosures, and
event spaces.
 PVC is a strong fabric that ca n be
folded, making it ideal for retractable and
temporary structures such as tents,
warehouses,
remediation, and mining structures, which need to be
demounted and stored often.
 With the ability to print on the fabric with ease, PVC is often
used in projects where branding is important.

Sound Absorption
 P V C c a n b e altered to manipulate the sound absorption
rate of the structure. Various coatings c a n b e applied to
P V C dependent on
the requirements of the structure.
 For example, an indoor aquatic centre will use PVC that has
 Common uses for PVC polyester:
 Transportation: truck tarps/covers/side
walls. tarps,
 Construction: Oil commercial
booms, sewing.
 Amusement/recreation:
tents/ poo
awnings,
covers, boat/pontoon/ATV covers.l
 Athletics:
inflatables,
G y m a n d athletic mats,
wall
padding. Loading dock and door:
roll-up doors, dock seals, industrial
curtains.
 Food service a nd restaurants: equipment
covers, patio enclosures