Researchers Develop Concrete System That Can Be Built in Seconds

Researchers have developed a concrete system that can be self-installing, allowing structures to be built in seconds while reducing emissions. Published in the journal Communications Engineering, the study introduces a new type of construction formwork that is delivered to project sites in a compact form. The formwork then expands automatically when concrete is poured into it.

In a demonstration, the researchers built a reinforced concrete structure 2.36 metres high 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. Pressure from the poured concrete causes the tubes to expand into the designed structure, eliminating much of the manual work normally 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 column by approximately three times.

The researchers estimate that production of the new formwork could reduce associated carbon emissions by around 50 percent. Meanwhile, material costs are estimated to be around 94 percent lower compared with conventional timber formwork.

The researchers said the technology could eventually be used for the construction of buildings and infrastructure, the provision of emergency housing, and construction in remote areas.