|Digital Matter
|Carbon Copies
Upcycling cork to build a better landscape
|Team
Elizaveta Veretilnaya, Liang Mayuqi Stefanie Eleonore Thaller, Lekha Gajbhiye
|Faculty
Areti Markopoulou, David Andres Leon, Raimund Krenmueller, Nikol Kirova
|Project year
2021-22
The Carbon Copies project is a response to the building industry’s outsized environmental impact, responsible for 40% of industrial emissions. Concrete, a primary contributor, emits 1200 kg of carbon daily. This initiative aims to revolutionize concrete production by integrating biochar, a carbon-negative element, to reduce cement usage and environmental footprint. Through innovative techniques, Carbon Copies strives not only to enhance material efficiency but also to inspire a shift towards more sustainable building practices, thus forging a path to a greener future
Biochar can be used as an additive in concrete manufacturing within a functionally-graded design and multi-material fabrication techniques contributing to a more informed and less environmentally impactful construction
Carbon Copies employs diverse ratios of biochar, cement, sand, sisal, and hemp fibers to create bricks. Higher biochar ratios result in lighter composites without affecting cement hydration. However, this necessitates increased water content. The incorporation of longer fibers enhances binding strength. The project emphasizes a balanced approach for material efficiency and environmental sustainability, ensuring a harmonious interplay of elements for a more responsible construction practice.
The voxel grid technique ensured precise material pouring during manual casting. To improve accuracy and control in the project, robotics were integrated for multi-layered bi-material deposition. Material exploration led to two suitable compositions for the robot, considering deposition timing, tool path, and reinforcement options. Metal mesh in prototypes sometimes caused uneven material distribution due to mesh cell size inconsistency. As a result, rebar reinforcement was chosen for the final prototype due to its anticipated favorable outcome.
In conclusion, the integration of robotics into the fabrication process alongside the voxel grid technique showcased precise material pouring and enhanced control for multi-layered bi-material deposition. Through meticulous material exploration, we identified two suitable compositions for the robot, considering various deposition parameters and reinforcement options. The observed inconsistency in material distribution caused by the metal mesh in prototypes led to opting of rebar reinforcement in the final prototype, anticipating more favorable outcomes. This innovative workflow combines automated bi-material casting with conventional formwork, effectively optimizing cement usage exclusively where structurally necessary. Consequently, this approach holds significant promise in reducing or neutralizing the embodied carbon of structural elements.
