Earth Additive Manufacturing (EAM) – Material and Process Combinations for Additive Manufacturing with Earth-Based Materials

The main objective of this research is the conception and investigation of EAM processes, based on the characterisation of earth-based material mixtures for two novel processes, namely a) Sprayed Earth Additive Manufacturing (SEAM) as a deposition-based EAM process, and b) Intrusion Earth Additive Manufacturing (IEAM) as a particle-bed-based EAM process, and their evaluation in large-scale architectural applications. Expected outcomes of the research are: Firstly, the investigation of the applicability of various earth-based materials for AM processes as well as the general characterisation of earth-based binders and material mixtures for EAM in terms of their pumpability, buildability, shrinkage behaviour, and compressive strength. Secondly, the design and implementation of two exemplary EAM processes and exploration of different earth-based binders and material combinations therein. Lastly, the exploration of these EAM technologies for geometrically differentiated architectural components that can combine insulation and load transfer, and the validation of the proposed technologies through exemplary fabrication experiments and demonstrators at full construction scale. The project aims to create the scientific basis for broader use of EAM methods to enable a fully circular and, thus, truly sustainable future construction technology.

 Collaborators:

• Ema Krakovská, M. Sc., Professorship of Digital Fabrication (Prof. Dr. Kathrin Dörfler), TUM
• Sofia Tsiotou, M. Sc., Professorship of Mineral Construction Materials (Prof. Dr. Alisa Machner), TUM
• Hannes Eichler, M.Sc., Joschua Gosslar, M.Sc., Institute of Structural Design (Prof. Dr.-Ing. Harald Kloft), TUBS

 Funding programme:

This research is supported by the German Research Foundation (DFG) – project number 414265976 –
Collaborative Research Centre Transregio 277 "Additive Manufacturing in Construction"

 Duration:

• 2024-2028