RD Slabs are innovative prototypes for ribbed concrete slabs designed to reduce embodied carbon emissions in construction and combat global warming. The project utilizes a Reaction-Diffusion system, informed by Finite Element Analysis in Karamba3D, to generate structurally efficient designs with minimal material usage. The performance-driven design process optimizes bending resistance and surface area for recarbonation through complex geometries while contributing to the development of low-carbon construction methods.

Text by SDU CREATE

RD Slabs are proof-of-concept ribbed slab prototypes that implement an accessible computational design method for the design, engineering, and construction of ribbed concrete slabs with low levels of embodied carbon in response to the impact of building construction on global warming. The project team uses a Reaction-Diffusion system for performance-driven generative structural design, informed by the outputs of Finite Element Analysis in the form of scalar and vector fields. The goal is to minimize the use of structural materials while maximizing bending resistance and surface area for recarbonation through convoluted geometry.

To streamline the production of geometrically complex slabs, a field-based robotic milling approach is introduced to process styrofoam concrete formworks. Mixed Reality is used to assist construction operations and realize non-standard rebar reinforcements. The ribbed slab prototypes are characterized by structural efficiency, high resolution, and low-machining time. Through this project, the team aims to contribute to developing low-carbon construction methods that can help mitigate the impact of buildings on the environment.

The work was developed during the Experimental Architecture X Robotic Milling Strategies – SDU CREATE Summer School 2022 (8-21 August).

Read more: CREATE — RD Slabs (create-sdu.com)

Project Credits

CREATE Group – Led by Ass. Prof. Dr. Roberto Naboni
Teaching Team: Roberto Naboni, Alessandro Zomparelli, Luca Breseghello, Anja Kunic, Hamed Hajikarimian

Students: Ahmed Mosallam, Boas Olesen, Cecilia Rask, Christian Jørgensen, Christina Jensen, Elma Ramic, Esben Kay, Eyjolfur Logason, Oscar Oweson, Julia Przado, Kate Heywood, Marie-Louise Merser, Mathias Nielsen, Nanna Larsen, Nicolas Ortiz, Nikolaj Rytter, Omar Rawashdeh, Paula Riehn, Rikke Ejlersen, Sara Sander, Sofie Skov-Carlsen, Steen Hansen, Viktor Hansen