After months of lockdown, the host institutes of the NCCR Digital Fabrication have now taken steps towards resuming normal activities. While the world of collaborative research now looks very different, we are happy to report that in-person research has resumed, our master’s students are working on their dissertation projects and that the NCCR technical teams are now providing practical support for researchers. While some physical project work has been delayed due to restrictions in our facilities, most researchers have been productive in this time with continuation of digital development and academic investigations. ETH Zurich is currently expected to fully reopen its campuses for research on August 3rd and our partnering intuitions also continue to reopen with all appropriate health and safety measures. Throughout this experience the Direction of the NCCR Digital Fabrication is grateful for all the support of our academic and industry partners, and for the ongoing commitment of our researchers and staff.
Fast Complexity
Researchers from DBT, in collaboration with industry partner BASF, present a highly optimised post-tensioned structural slab prototype. This structural system combines the material reduction opportunities of concrete 3D printing and the geometric precision of reusable 3D printed formwork to create a fast and efficient automated production method.
Developing impact awareness and true interdisciplinarity
In June, NCCR Digital Fabrication hosted a number of workshops on socio-economic impact assessment and establishing methods for interdisciplinary collaboration. Open to NCCR researchers and selected external participants, these workshops instigated discussions on the contextualisation of our research, and its long term impact beyond technology and construction.
Work on the Empa NEST unit HiLo has resumed after a temporary suspension of activities. The first 15 mm of concreting of the roof shell is now complete and the reinforcements have been placed. The next operation is the precise addition of the final layer of concrete for the structural shell. Once the shell is complete, construction on the habitable modules and system integration can begin.
Philippe Block joins the Board of Directors of LafargeHolcim
Congratulations to NCCR director Philippe Block who was elected to the Board of Directors of LafargeHolcim Ltd at its Annual General Meeting 2020. . In this position Prof. Block has an opportunity to further promote digital fabrication within the construction and materials industries, and to broaden the discussion of research and innovation and their potential to stimulate sustainability at a global level.
Second RILEM Digital Concrete conference takes place online
Prof. Robert Flatt and Dr. Lex Reiter delivered the opening keynote of the 2020 Digital Concrete online conference. This conference series was initiated by the NCCR Digital Fabrication and inaugurated at ETH Zurich in 2018. The 2020 conference was hosted online by the TU Eindhoven, and the presented material has been published in a Springer Proceedings, a special issue of Cement and Concrete Research, and a special issue of Construction Printing Technology.
Have ever wondered what it takes to work in digital fabrication? Our “Meet the Researchers” series introduces readers to our members and gives insight into how they started their careers and what they love (and hate) about their work within the NCCR Digital Fabrication.
Images
Fast Complexity: Andrei Jipa, dbt
HiLo: Stephan Kälin, Empa
Digital Concrete: Image used courtesy of Springer
Meet the researchers: Philippe Fleischmann
