3D Printing Clay Facade Walls

Integrating Ventilation systems into printing process

Master thesis (2019)

Authors

A. Ammar Taher Nabil Ibrahim Architecture and the Built Environment

Contributors

Serdar Așut Design Informatics - Architecture and the Built Environment (mentor)
W.H. van der Spoel Building Physics - Architecture and the Built Environment (mentor)
Faculty
Architecture and the Built Environment, Architecture and the Built Environment
Copyright: © 2019 Ammar Ammar Taher Nabil Ibrahim
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Published Date

03-07-2019

Language

English

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Faculty

Architecture and the Built Environment

Abstract

Since 3D printing is relatively new in the architecture applications, exploring how it could be integrated with environment-friendly materials as clay could lead to a more sustainable approach for materialising complex building components.
This research is investigating the answer to the research question “What are the printing techniques and tools that can help integrate the clay as an environment-friendly material, into the 3d printing of building components, while maintaining the required indoor and outdoor performance quality?”. The research was divided into four aspects of exploration and design. Clay as a printing material to find the most suitable type for architectural components, as well as material experiments to find the best mixture for printability. Displacement ventilation system as a Wall component to be prototyped, it was designed and CFD analysis verified the designs. Robotic fabrication as the process considered while designing, from Grasshopper environment and creating a slicer algorithm to robot program generation. Lastly, an Extrusion system and hardware tools for printing to materialise a prototype design. Out of this process, a final prototype was created. Eventually, a design guide was created and recommended process developments were illustrated. Lastly, the aspects that require further development and the limitations were concluded. This research sets a base for whoever is interested in pushing the limits of sustainable materials, like clay, to new boundaries within the new digital fabrication technologies evolving.