Digitally fabricated ribbed concrete floor slabs: a sustainable solution for construction

The concrete used in floor slabs accounts for large greenhouse gas emissions building construction. Solid slabs, often today, consume much more than ribbed built by pioneer structural engineers like Hennebique, Arcangeli and Nervi. first part of this paper analyses the evolution slab systems over last century their carbon footprint, highlighting that have been abandoned mainly sake construction time cost efficiency. However, highly material-efficient two-way are essential to reduce environmental impact Hence, second discusses how digital fabrication can help tackle challenge presents four with digitally fabricated formwork. technologies employed produce these cutting, binder-jetting, polymer extrusion 3D printing. presented applications showcase a reduction use approximately 50% compared solid slabs. complex formworks produced were wasteful and/or labour-intensive. Further developments required make processes sustainable competitive streamlining production, using low mixes as well reusing recycling formwork or structurally activating stay-in-place