The potential of advanced textiles for fabric formwork

Abstract

A cross-discipline group funded by EPSRC Limesnet, discusses ‘Structural woven formwork’ from a textile perspective, where the adoption of more sophisticated textile construction enables manufacture of new types of flexible and embedded fabric formworks for potential use in the construction industry, including fibre systems for reinforcing building components, containment structures and layered geo-textiles. In-filled with concrete, aggregate or earth, new formwork fabrics are designed with anisotropic properties to provide enhanced structural performance, permeability and surface finish compared with commercial off-the-shelf fabrics. Dual-function fabrics are introduced that provide permanent formwork through the use of robust internal woven reinforcement and cavity systems to enhance strength. Matched with specific formwork casting and construction methods, these structures could enhance and progress the scope, scale and performance of current formwork, or enable new structures that are currently difficult to achieve. The developments provide key pointers for the progression of the discipline and automation of the process.