The public examinations for the degree of Doctor of Architecture, specializing in Construction and Technology, required by João António Nogueira Carvalho, Lab2PT’s PHD Student, will be held on 6th February at 02H30 pm in Auditorium 1, of Building 9 (EAAD) on UMinho’s Azurém Campus.
João António Nogueira Carvalho will defend his thesis titled ‘Integration of Digital Processes in the Design and Additive Manufacturing of Ceramic Architectural Systems”.

Abstract: Traditionally known as 3D printing, Additive Manufacturing (AM) consists of producing objects by successively adding material layer by layer, only where it is needed, providing a sustainable alternative to subtractive production methods that can cause significant material waste.
In recent years, there has been an increase in the exploitation of AM technologies for the manufacture of architectural components, leading to the emergence of new areas of research. The integration of new materials and the innovative use of existing ones, together with the use of digital design tools and AM, have facilitated the development of sophisticated construction systems. These systems are developed to meet specific contexts, addressing unique challenges and producing distinctive solutions that offer exceptional material performance and a high degree of formal freedom.
In addition to the potential benefits in terms of saving resources and sustainability, FA also allows for mass customization, with no restrictions on the number of geometries that can be obtained. As the material is deposited only where it is needed and this process is controlled by a computer, producing different objects will cost the same and take the same amount of time as producing the same objects.
This work aims to explore the potential of using digital design tools and Additive Manufacturing together to develop advanced construction systems, focusing on the use of ceramic materials. Although ceramics are highly resistant to compressive stress, they can be fragile when exposed to other types of mechanical stress. In this sense, the systems developed propose the use of complementary materials, strategically employed to mitigate the fragilities inherent in the primary ceramic material, implementing a structural scheme achieved through the use of topological optimization logic. This approach results in a hybrid system, allowing each material to perform optimally under specific conditions.
In addition, the system is designed based on the principles of Design for Assembly and Disassembly (DFAD), guaranteeing total reversibility and ease of repair. Any component can be easily replaced without restrictions in the event of damage. Consequently, the use of these materials and processes, from design to production, results in a construction system that optimizes the type and quantity of materials used, boosting the sustainability of the built environment.

 

Jury
President
PhD Jorge Manuel Simão Alves Correia, Full Professor at EAAD of UMinho.

Members
PhD Bárbara Rangel Carvalho, Assistant Professor at Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto;
PhD Inês Alexandra Côrro Caetano, Assistant Professor at Departamento de Engenharia Informática e Computadores do Instituto Superior Técnico ;
PhD Filipe Jorge da Silva Brandão, Researcher at Lab2PT – Laboratório de Paisagens, Património e Território;
PhD Bruno Acácio Ferreira Figueiredo, Associate Professor at EAAD of UMinho.

 

More information in: http://www.eaad.uminho.pt