Inflatable Rigidizable Cementitious Building Forms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional construction methods using wood, steel, masonry, and concrete result in significant waste and are time-consuming, making it desirable to develop a more efficient and sustainable method for building construction that reduces waste and construction time.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing inflatable rigidizable forms (IRS) made of geosynthetic cementitious composite mats (GCCM) that absorb water and rigidize in response to hydration, allowing for the creation of cementitious buildings through pneumatic inflation and hydration without the need for internal inflatable bladders, enabling the formation of rectilinear structures that conform to building codes and aesthetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional construction methods (wood, steel, masonry, on-site casted concrete) are used, then structural strength and stability are achieved, but construction time is excessive and waste is significant
Solution Approach 1:
The GCCM panels are pre-fabricated off-site with all necessary cementitious materials embedded, allowing them to be transported and quickly assembled on-site. The panels are pre-prepared with hydration layers that will activate upon contact with moisture, eliminating the need for time-consuming on-site mixing and curing processes
Solution Approach 2:
The panels are inflated using pneumatic pressure to achieve their final structural shape and rigidity. Air pressure is used to expand the panels into their load-bearing configuration, significantly reducing the time required compared to traditional concrete pouring and curing methods
2Reliability
If conventional construction methods are used, then durable structures are created, but material waste cannot be reused
Solution Approach 1:
The GCCM panels are designed to be reusable after their initial service life. The panels can be deflated, transported, and reused in other construction projects, eliminating the waste associated with conventional construction materials that must be discarded after use
Solution Approach 2:
The panels use a composite structure combining geosynthetic fabric with embedded cementitious materials, creating a multi-functional material that provides both structural strength and flexibility. This composite approach maximizes material efficiency and reduces waste
3Productivity
If precast concrete panels are used, then construction time is reduced, but transport logistics and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The building structure is divided into modular GCCM panel sections that can be independently manufactured, transported, and assembled. Each panel is a self-contained unit that can be easily connected to adjacent panels, simplifying the assembly process compared to traditional precast concrete methods
Solution Approach 2:
The panels transition from a flexible, transportable state to a rigid, load-bearing state through inflation. This dynamic transformation allows the panels to be easily transported in a compact form and then expanded on-site to their final structural configuration, reducing assembly complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method enables rapid, robust, and sustainable construction of rectilinear cementitious buildings by inflating and hydrating GCCM sections, reducing waste and construction time while providing a framework for load-bearing structures that meet regulatory standards and aesthetic preferences.
Implementation Method 1
a layer of cementitious composite material coupled together to form a closed structure. The closed structure is inflatable, and the closed structure when inflated forms a structural support element
Implementation Method 2
GCCM configured to absorb water and rigidize in response to hydration
Implementation Method 3
The IRS form is pneumatically inflatable
Data Source
AI summary
A system for creating a cementitious building includes a support structure comprising a plurality of support members, and an inflatable rigidizable structural (IRS) form. The IRS form comprises a plurality of geosynthetic cementitious composite mat (GCCM) sections having GCCM configured to absorb water and rigidize in response to hydration, each GCCM section being coupled to another GCCM section of the plurality such that the IRS form is pneumatically inflatable.