Characterization and analysis of filled knitted fabric formworks for advanced manufacturing of composite structures

Abstract

An alternative construction methodology has been raising interest, consisting of employing fabrics as formworks. The implementation of flexible formworks allows the production of highly optimized organic structures, avoiding the use of unnecessary materials and consequently reducing construction loads, costs and waste. This study aims to integrate the experimental characterization of the mechanical behaviour of the knitted textiles used as formworks, the mechanical and deformational behaviour of the formworks while being filled with fresh mortar, and the numerical simulation of the multi-step process leading to the final structure. The integration of these different processes is essential for a sound design of this composite system as a construction strategy. To this end, this investigation identified several aspects, related to either experimental or computational mechanics that are relevant to the topic and should be further investigated, with the aim of a future integrated material and structural design approach.