Output details

The largest fabric formed concrete structure in Europe, presented at the ISFF 2nd International conference on fabric casting technology, Bath University, 26th June 2012

The project formed part of the annual Live Project workshops, research students under Chandler's direction were commissioned to design, detail and build a 31 metre long concrete retaining wall using fabric shuttering in rural Norfolk. The project was an industry scale, on-site application of the details and working methods developed through Chandler's prototype research at UEL (since 2004), and his innovative 'Live Project' teaching methodology (since 2001).

Specific details were developed to realise the project, utilising copper tie sheaths to become permanent weep holes, using recycled tyres cut out as washers to control pressure on the retaining ties, developing a fabric corner shutter as the wall is 'L' shaped, devising a base detail for the shuttering to compensate for poor ground conditions. The progress of the build was filmed using stop frame video, and a dedicated blog recorded the progress in detail as real-time documentation for future site construction projects.

As a member of the Scientific Steering committee of the second ISFF International Conference, Chandler used the project as his closing keynote presentation, focussing on the conceptual implications of taking laboratory or workshop based research practice into the commercial environment, and the consequent impact on research methodology and risk.

Alan Chandler is the first author; the ISFF paper was peer-reviewed and published in the Conference proceedings p 76-83. Chandler's 'Live Project' practice and outputs are documented in conference papers, the Journal of Education in the Built Environment (2013), and 'Live Projects' published by Routledge (2013).

http://people.bath.ac.uk/jjo20/icff/ICFF2012/Proceedings_Book.html