Modeling of clay domes made by 3D printing

Abstract

Additive manufacturing, widely used in the industry, has also gained great popularity in construction, presenting the same advantages: the material can be reduced with the use of different patterns without leaving waste. Therefore, construction using 3D printing can be considered a sustainable construction, furthermore, in this case, because of the use of a clearly ecological material such as clay. In fact, this work arises from the idea of building a university recreational complex starting from the earth towards the earth. This excavation process rises forming the dome, this having been chosen for aesthetics and because this shape is very suitable for 3D printing. For the structural analysis of the dome, a previous topological optimization study is carried out. To get the different densities the deposition trajectory is modified and the mechanical properties are determined by a homogenization process released by finite elements.