3D Printed Modular Building Rotation for Structural Integrity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing 3D printing methods for constructing buildings are cumbersome, requiring multiple procedures and resulting in structures with insufficient stress bearing and anti-seismic properties due to separate formation and assembly of the top, bottom, and walls.

Innovation Solution

A method involving 3D printing of intermediate modules with stress-bearing features, rotating them 90 degrees to integrate the top, bottom, and walls as a single, stress-distributed unit, allowing for simultaneous printing and assembly of prefabricated modular buildings, which enhances stability and seismic resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the building is constructed by separately printing the bottom, walls, and top in multiple procedures, then the printing process can be completed with conventional methods, but the construction process becomes cumbersome and the structural integrity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting process simplicityVSAvoidnumber of printing procedures

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional construction sequence by printing the walls first, then attaching the bottom and top components. This reversal allows all components to be printed separately with optimized single-procedure printing while maintaining structural integrity through the connection structures designed into the wall components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The building is segmented into separate printable components (walls, bottom, top) that can be manufactured independently through 3D printing. Each component is designed with connection structures that enable assembly into a complete building, allowing parallel manufacturing and simplified printing procedures for each part.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If the bottom, walls, and top are printed separately and assembled, then the printing process is manageable, but the stress bearing property and anti-seismic property are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestress bearing propertyVSAvoidconstruction efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By reversing the assembly sequence to attach bottom and top to printed walls rather than printing the entire structure in one piece, the patent achieves both structural integrity through optimized connection points and manufacturing efficiency through separate component production.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

Connection structures are pre-integrated into the wall components during the printing process. This preliminary action ensures that when components are assembled, the stress-bearing connections are already in place, improving both structural strength and assembly speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If multiple printing procedures are used to form bottom, walls, and top separately, then the construction can be completed with existing technology, but the building lacks integrated stress distribution and seismic resistance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanti-seismic propertyVSAvoidprinting process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach of printing the building from bottom to top in one piece. Instead, it prints walls first with integrated connection structures, then attaches bottom and top components. This inversion enables seismic-resistant design through distributed connection points while keeping the printing process manageable through separate component manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The building structure uses composite construction combining separately printed components (walls, bottom, top) with integrated connection structures. This composite approach allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while working together to provide unified stress distribution and seismic resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 approach reduces the complexity of the construction process, improves the structural stability and seismic resilience of buildings, and promotes energy conservation and environmental sustainability by enabling on-site assembly of prefabricated modules with reduced waste.

Implementation Method 1

concrete printing is performed using a 3D printing device to obtain an intermediate module and connection modules

Methodology Applied

Scientific Effect3D Printing: 3D Printing

Implementation Method 2

the intermediate module is rotated by 90 degrees to obtain a fabricated module

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS12030211B2Method for 3D printing prefabricated modular buildings

Publication Date: 2024.07.09 BEIJING HUASHANG LUHAI TECH CO LTD

AI summary

A method for 3D printing a prefabricated modular building includes rotating an intermediate module (300) by 90 degrees to obtain a fabricated module (400), so that two originally vertical walls (A, C) become horizontal walls, and the other two walls (B, D) become supporting walls. This enables the building to be able to receive stresses as a whole, improving the stability of the building.