international association for shell and spatial structures



Working Group 21: Advanced Manufacturing and Materials

Mission

To advance the construction of lightweight structures through cutting-edge design methods, techniques, and smart materials.

Background

The tension between idea and technique has taken an interesting turn. The possibilities offered by new modelling software and smart materials have led to very complex architecture in all its wealth and beauty. The building designs developed tremendously from mass production to very sophisticated, just-in-time-shape-and-place production. Construction of advanced building structures has become industrial design. In spite of what has been achieved, the gap between idea and technique has become larger. Working Group 21 aims to narrow this gap by providing a platform to exchange research and application of advanced manufacturing and materials.

The working group focuses on several topics of the manufacturing process. Researchers are invited to exchange knowledge, to organise sessions and to participate in workshops and exhibitions. Beside creating a knowledge platform within the IASS, the group wants to introduce interdisciplinary cutting-edge techniques and developments into the built environment. In general, the working group aims to bridge the gap between mechanical engineering and the built environment.

Objectives

The Working Group proposes to advance the following research topics in advanced manufacturing as related to spatial structures:

  1. Additive manufacturing (spraying, extrusion, curing, melting, lamination, etc.)
  2. Casting & moulding (flexible formwork, fabric formwork, adjustable formwork, inflatable formwork, vacuum moulding, blow moulding, etc.)
  3. Connections (bolting, welding, lamination, clamping, stitching, rivets, flexible joints, kinetic joints, zip fasteners, hook and loop fasteners, interlocking connections, etc.)
  4. Subtractive Manufacturing (milling, electro-chemical erosion, laser cutting, water jet cutting, etc.)
  5. Robotics (mechatronics, manufacturing automation, drones, etc.)
  6. Smart materials (micro and nano-fabrication, (bio)composites, metals (alloys), ceramics, natural/synthetic polymers, shape memory alloys etc.)
  7. Textile technology (spinning, (3D) weaving, (3D) knitting, non-woven, etc.)
  8. Surface treatment (polishing, coating, electrotyping, abrasive blasting, etc.)

In addition, the working group aims to organise exhibitions of innovative pavilions to stimulate research and to show the results of this research. For the realisation of those pavilions, the aim is for a synergy of academics, artist and companies.

Recent History

  • 2015 competition and exhibition of innovative pavilions was organized at the IASS symposium in Amsterdam.
  • 2015 ISOFF organized a flexible formwork workshop and symposium at the IASS symposium in Amsterdam.
  • 2017 sessions by several people were organized concerning fabrication and manufacturing at the symposium in Hamburg.
  • 2018 session on flexible formwork at the symposium in Boston.
  • 2019 exhibition/competition of innovative pavilions at the symposium in Barcelona - see video here.
  • 2019 Ice Pavilion Competition in cooperation with HIT, Harbin, China
  • 2021 a pavilion competition at the symposium in Surrey, a great success with 15 participants from all over the world.
  • 2023 pavilion competition in Melbourne Australia
  • 2024 pavilion competition in Zurich

IASS 2024 - Pavilion competition 

WG21 again holds an exhibition/competition of innovative pavilions at the 27 to 31 October 2025 symposium in Mexico.

  • To download some forms for the expo please use this link I will try to mage this



Anticipated Future Activities

WG21 will continue to plan pavilion and expo events at future IASS conferences.

Links

Fabric formwork - Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/189735680782/

Structural ice website http://www.structural-ice.com/

Current Membership

The Working Group welcomes additional members who have an interest in Advanced Manufacturing and Materials; those interested should please contact the Chair or Co-Chair of the Working Group.

Further Information for IASS Members

Last updated September 2024

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