FerrumLutum
Year: 2023
Team: EDEK, TWE, FG Entwerfen und Nachhaltiges Bauen, FG Technische Gebäudeausrüstung, FG Bauphysik - University of Kassel
The project focuses on developing a ceiling system using innovative additive manufacturing techniques in earthen construction. It explores the potential and limitations of hybrid systems made from clay and steel, particularly in the context of multi-storey residential buildings. The assessment considers structural integrity, economic viability, ecological impact, and building physics. Clay and steel emerge as particularly promising materials: clay, as a locally available and biodegradable resource, and steel, as a durable and resilient material suitable for reuse in a circular economy. Combining reclaimed steel—sourced from the urban mine—with natural clay holds significant promise for reducing energy consumption, raw material use, CO₂ emissions, and construction waste compared to conventional methods. 3D printing was selected as the fabrication method for the clay components due to its ability to produce custom geometries tailored to each reclaimed steel beam. Three types of clay were tested through 3D printing: air-dried clay, greenware stoneware clay, and bisque-fired stoneware clay. These variants were evaluated based on their environmental impact during production and their compressive strength.