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Flexible Formwork: A Textile-Centric Approach

Investigating pattern influence on the deformation behavior of weft-knitted textile formworks under hydrostatic loading

Student:

Mentors:

Lucy Flieger

Stijn Brancart

Mariana Popescu

More information:

Flexible formwork is an innovative building technology that uses textiles as structural membranes for casting concrete. This research explores the effect of different knitting patterns on the behavior of CNC-knit textile formwork subject to hydrostatic loading. The primary aim is to develop a pattern-specific knowledge base to inform the design of innovative and efficient flexibly formed architectural components. The research is structured into three main phases: the development of a pattern repository, physical testing of knit patterns under concrete loading, and the exploration of pattern combinations to produce innovative architectural forms. By combining information-based and inspiration-based design research, this thesis establishes a framework for analyzing the physical behavior of knit textiles under concrete loading and suggests future design applications. The key findings reveal significant differences between the patterns which suggests that pattern selection influences the structural and aesthetic qualities of the resulting concrete forms. This research advances the potential of CNC-knit formwork to create more efficient and sustainable concrete structures.

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