Berman-Priber-Sanchez_Research

Ho Lee Hsin! (Ray Brian Cheng) MIDTERM and Beyond

Midterm Presentation:

Concrete PHIZZ Unit
(Pentagon Hexagon Zig Zag)

We are now looking at an aggregating unit with a dynamic form that can adjust to different, allowing for the production of variations of the unit which aggregate using a fast set mortar between faces.

 We are interested in a kind of unit that can span, but remain thin. Folding became the area of investigation.

 This is the first test, looking at folding metal for form making. It became difficult because each form is static, and cannot produce variation.

 Modular origami units can be used to create complex forms through simple connections.

  We decided to use the PHiZZ unit, which is adjustable and is geometrically simple, but aggregates in complex forms. We spent considerable time trying to understand and model the units so that we could manipulate them in 3D to produce the angles for a larger form.

Meet the PHiZZ Unit

Dynamic form, all angles adjustable. Open faced splump form.

 Very sticky concrete mixture, low water 2:1 portland cement to sand ratio.

 Applying it to the form.

 Metal mesh is put in between layers

 Smoothing the finish, can be difficult to get a nice one, but also allows for the ability to apply a texture, which can be both aesthetic and functional for a secure mortar connection surface.

Dried and ready to release.

 Very easy to release the form, no formrelease needed.

The finished unit. 

NEXT


Prototype_2
Flexible joint membrane.  - To increase structural depth at each joint.
Glass fiber reinforcement.  - Increase overall strength for tension forces.

Fitting Latex membranes at the joints

 The more the angle is bent, the deeper the joint becomes.

The ends have a latex membrane as well, to accommodate a thicker joint at the valley angle.

 Dried glass fiber reinforced concrete, it was hard to mix, and hard to finish, the fibers really got in the way.

Finished unit. 

 Membrane joint, its a bit rough.

 

Lessons:

- Glass fiber needs to be combined with another admixture, although it may have helped a little bit, the unit was not much stronger, need to look into polymer or resin mixtures which apparently hold the fibers in much better when the unit is cured. The glass fibers seemed to slip out of the concrete after it was cast. 

- Finishing the surface with the Glass reinforcement is very hard, still need to create some kind of pattern to be imprinted into the surface. 

        - This will help with keeping the slump in place when the surface is at a steep angle, as well as create a surface for aesthetic appeal and a better mortar surface joint.

- The membrane joint needs to be though on some more, is plexi a good casting surface? Or is an entire fabric membrane better? Plexi is better for controlling form and angles, but a continuous surface would create a nicer finish.

Need to work on:

- Control of form and angles through 3D modeling, to create a list of  elements to be produced by the dynamic formwork.

- Work on mixture, need to test GFRC recipe mixes.

- Formwork needs to have more dynamic joints while maintaining accuracy of its angles. Milling a more robust frame may be next, in combination with a releasable surface imprint. 

- Testing of mortar joint.

- Printing out small test modules for aggregation tests. 

Cheers, 

 - Ho Lee Hsin