Tema: Construction materials

The concrete revolution is taking place and it’s aimed at turning this material into a lighter and more intelligent version of itself. Some months ago, researchers in Zurich’s Polytechnic School, launched a video showing the development of a concrete structure with a core of enormous steel cables, held with metallic nodes. [cmsmasters_embed shortcode_id="9u4q6u7d6m" link="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ki1EcBCurqc" wrap="true" animation_delay="0" classes="sombranews"] These specially designed nodes, mark the innovation of a construction system that allows the creation of complex geometries. Thanks to an algorithm, the cables can be tensed and un-tensed according to the structure’s needs to distribute the loads towards the ground. Then a [...]

The use of concrete as a construction element takes us back to the Roman Empire – many of their buildings still stand today – however this material began to be used in the way with which we are familiar today, from the 19th century onwards. From its first use, humans have investigated the way of perfecting its characteristics through testing, additives, different application methods and combining it with other materials. This evolution, however, has not been able to stop the deterioration of concrete structures that are subjected to environmental agents, earth movements and all kinds of wear; with high repair [...]