Thesis

Additive manufacturing methods are opening up new shaping possibilities in many industries. Although later than in other sectors, this technology is also gaining a foothold in the building materials industry. The construction sector, with its immense demand for highly individualized components, appears to be a worthwhile field for the widespread establishment of such manufacturing methods. In the traditional process for aerated concrete, the gassing process first takes place in large molds, after which the large blocks are cut into workable bricks and then hardened in an autoclave under pressure and heat. The thesis is supported by Rodgauer Baustoffwerke, a manufacturer that owns one of the most modern aerated concrete plants in Europe and is very interested in the improvement of its manufacturing processes.

The aim of the thesis is to investigate the suitability of 3D printing of specialized formwork shapes for the production of individualized aerated concrete elements. This includes the theoretical development of special components and associated formwork strategies, their experimental production and a subsequent scientific evaluation of the experiments.