Researchers Develop Concrete System That Can Be Built in Seconds

Beijing (ANTARA) - Researchers have developed a concrete system that can self-assemble, building structures in seconds and reducing emissions. Published in the journal Communications Engineering, the study introduces a new type of construction formwork delivered to project sites in a compact form. This formwork then expands automatically when concrete is poured into it. In a demonstration, the researchers built a reinforced concrete structure 2.36 metres tall with a base diameter of 2.4 metres, which expanded fully in just 14 seconds. The system uses flexible tubes containing steel cables to reinforce the concrete. The pressure from the poured concrete causes the tubes to expand into the designed structure, significantly reducing the manual labour typically required to assemble and dismantle large formwork systems. Test results showed that the polymer casing surrounding the tubes increased the load-bearing capacity of the concrete columns by approximately three times. The researchers estimate that producing the new formwork could reduce related carbon emissions by around 50 per cent. Meanwhile, material costs are estimated to be about 94 per cent lower compared to conventional timber formwork. The researchers said the technology could eventually be used for building and infrastructure construction, providing emergency housing, and construction in remote areas.