An Environmental Perspective on Digital Fabrication in Architecture and Construction

Digital fabrication processes and technologies are becoming an essential part of the modern product manufacturing. As the use of 3D printing grows, potential applications into large scale processes are emerging. The combined methods of computational design and robotic fabrication have demonstrated potential to expand architectural design. However, factors such as material use, energy demands, durability, GHG emissions and waste production must be recognized as the priorities over the entire life of any architectural project. Given the recent developments at architecture scale, this study aims to investigate the environmental consequences and opportunities of digital fabrication in construction. This paper presents two case studies of classic building elements digitally fabricated. In each case study, the projects were assessed according to the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) framework and compared with conventional construction with similar function. The analysis highlighted the importance of material-efficient design to achieve high environmental benefits in digitally fabricated architecture. The knowledge established in this research should be directed to the development of guidelines that help designers to make more sustainable choices in the implementation of digital fabrication in architecture and construction

Environmental Implications and Opportunities of Digital Fabrication

Society’s increasing concern for sustainability aspects is inducing the emergence of digital technologies to overcome the inefficiency and reduce environmental impacts in product manufacturing. As the use of digital processes such as 3D printing grows, innovative applications into large scale processes are emerging. The combined methods of computational design and robotic fabrication are demonstrating a large potential to expand architectural design and transform conventional construction processes. But, the most impressive impact may be their contribution to the improvement of sustainability in construction. The challenge of digital fabrication at building scale is to achieve efficiency in parameters such as material use, energy demands, durability, GHG emissions and waste production over the entire life cycle of a building. The goal of this paper is to investigate the environmental implications and opportunities of digital fabrication in construction. The research focuses specifically on measuring the flow of materials, embodied energy and potential environmental impacts associated with digital fabrication processes. With this objective, the case study of a wooden roof digitally fabricated is presented. The project was assessed according to the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) framework and compared with a conventional wooden roof with similar function and structural capacity. The analysis highlighted the importance of material-efficient design to achieve high environmental benefits in digitally fabricated architecture. This research is the initial step towards the establishment of a knowledge base and the elaboration of guidelines that help designers to make more sustainable choices in the implementation of digital fabrication in construction

Improving the collaboration between architects and energy consultants through design-integrated early BIM-tools

There is a lack of optimization of buildings towards energy performance in early design stages in practice. Interviews with architects and energy consultants showed that one reason is the inefficient communication between these two groups. This paper investigates how a design-integrated early-BIM tool can improve the relation between architects and energy consultants to support an optimization process in early design stages and facilitate issuing energy performance certificates. Two case studies show that the early-BIM tool provides meaningful results for the architects involved and can reduce the input time for energy consultants by 50%. Furthermore, the simple 3D model functions as boundary object between the two groups and supports the collaboration

Lowering the global warming impact of bridge rehabilitations by using Ultra High Performance Fibre Reinforced Concretes

Ultra-High Performance Fibre Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC)is charact erized by aunique combination of extremely low permeability, high strength and deformability. Extensive R&D works and applications over the last 10 years have demonstrated that cast on site UHPFRC is afast, efficientand price competitive method for the repair/re habilitation of existing structures. More recently, an original concept of ECO- UHPFRC with ahigh dosage of mineral addition, alow clinker content, and amajority of local components has been applied successfully for the reh abilitation of abridge in Slovenia. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the global warming impact of bridge rehabilitations with different types of UHPFRC and to compare them to more standard solutions, both on the basis of the bridge rehabilitation performed in Slovenia. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)methodology is used. The analysis shows that rehabilitations with UHPFRC, and even more ECO-UHPFRC, have alower impact than traditional methods over the life cycle

LR characterization of chirotopes of finite planar families of pairwise disjoint convex bodies

We extend the classical LR characterization of chirotopes of finite planar families of points to chirotopes of finite planar families of pairwise disjoint convex bodies: a map \c{hi} on the set of 3-subsets of a finite set I is a chirotope of finite planar families of pairwise disjoint convex bodies if and only if for every 3-, 4-, and 5-subset J of I the restriction of \c{hi} to the set of 3-subsets of J is a chirotope of finite planar families of pairwise disjoint convex bodies. Our main tool is the polarity map, i.e., the map that assigns to a convex body the set of lines missing its interior, from which we derive the key notion of arrangements of double pseudolines, introduced for the first time in this paper.Comment: 100 pages, 73 figures; accepted manuscript versio

Discussion of “Earth concrete. Stabilization revisited”

Using metrics is an informative approach to compare the effectiveness of cement use in material systems, but does not necessarily consider all factors needed to determine which system is most sustainable. To make a fair comparison, it is necessary to consider the functions cement performs in each system. In this discussion, suggestions are given for how to assess the use of cement as a binding agent in stabilised earth construction. Consideration of structural requirements and durability, life cycle analysis and moisture buffering shows that the effectiveness of cement use depends on more than just embodied carbon and dry compressive strength

Embodied GHG emissions of buildings – The hidden challenge for effective climate change mitigation

Buildings are major sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and contributors to the climate crisis. To meet climate-change mitigation needs, one must go beyond operational energy consumption and related GHG emissions of buildings and address their full life cycle. This study investigates the global trends of GHG emissions arising across the life cycle of buildings by systematically compiling and analysing more than 650 life cycle assessment (LCA) case studies. The results, presented for different energy performance classes based on a final sample of 238 cases, show a clear reduction trend in life cycle GHG emissions due to improved operational energy performance. However, the analysis reveals an increase in relative and absolute contributions of so‐called ‘embodied’ GHG emissions, i.e., emissions arising from manufacturing and processing of building materials. While the average share of embodied GHG emissions from buildings following current energy performance regulations is approximately 20–25% of life cycle GHG emissions, this figure escalates to 45–50% for highly energy-efficient buildings and surpasses 90% in extreme cases. Furthermore, this study analyses GHG emissions at time of occurrence, highlighting the ‘carbon spike’ from building production. Relating the results to existing benchmarks for buildings’ GHG emissions in the Swiss SIA energy efficiency path shows that most cases exceed the target of 11.0 kgCO$^{2}$eq/m$^{2}$a. Considering global GHG reduction targets, these results emphasize the urgent need to reduce GHG emissions of buildings by optimizing both operational and embodied impacts. The analysis further confirmed a need for improving transparency and comparability of LCA studies

Potential benefits of digital fabrication for complex structures: Environmental assessment of a robotically fabricated concrete wall

Digital fabrication represents innovative, computer-controlled processes and technologies with the potential to expand the boundaries of conventional construction. Their use in construction is currently restricted to complex and iconic structures, but the growth potential is large. This paper aims to investigate the environmental opportunities of digital fabrication methods, particularly when applied to complex concrete geometries. A case study of a novel robotic additive process that is applied to a wall structure is evaluated with the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method. The results of the assessment demonstrate that digital fabrication provides environmental benefits when applied to complex structures. The results also confirm that additional complexity is achieved through digital fabrication without additional environmental costs. This study provides a quantitative argument to position digital fabrication at the beginning of a new era, which is often called the Digital Age in many other disciplines

Embodied GHG emissions of buildings - Critical reflection of benchmark comparison and in-depth analysis of drivers

In the face of the unfolding climate crisis, the role and importance of reducing Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the building sector is increasing. This study investigates the global trends of GHG emissions occurring across the life cycle of buildings by systematically compiling life cycle assessment (LCA) studies and analysing more than 650 building cases. Based on the data extracted from these LCA studies, the influence of features related to LCA methodology and building design is analysed. Results show that embodied GHG emissions, which mainly arise from manufacturing and processing of building materials, are dominating life cycle emissions of new, advanced buildings. Analysis of GHG emissions at the time of occurrence, shows the upfront \u27carbon spike\u27 and emphasises the need to address and reduce the GHG \u27investment\u27 for new buildings. Comparing the results with existing life cycle-related benchmarks, we find only a small number of cases meeting the benchmark. Critically reflecting on the benchmark comparison, an in-depth analysis reveals different reasons for cases achieving the benchmark. While one would expect that different building design strategies and material choices lead to high or low embodied GHG emissions, the results mainly correlate with decisions related to LCA methodology, i.e. the scope of the assessments. The results emphasize the strong need for transparency in the reporting of LCA studies as well as need for consistency when applying environmental benchmarks. Furthermore, the paper opens up the discussion on the potential of utilizing big data and machine learning for analysis and prediction of environmental performance of buildings