Output details

The Potential of Advanced Textiles for Fabric Formwork

This cross-discipline journal article discusses the development of fabric formwork from a textile perspective, where the adoption of more sophisticated textile construction proposes the manufacture of new types of fabric formworks for potential use in the construction Industry. These include fibre systems for reinforcing building components, containment structures arranged with open cavities to accept in-fill and layered geo-textiles. Progressive ‘formwork-specific’ textile prototypes were designed to simultaneously minimise the use of timber, utilize sustainable in-fill (earth, hemp-lime) and produce efficient forms with lower environmental impact within one system. Their unique characteristics are described in a recent GB Patent application made by the author (PCT/GB2012/0528513, Nov 2012).

The collaborative work was completed during, and funded by Limes Net - an EPSRC funded International Network developing novel and interdisciplinary research activities in low carbon construction materials and technologies in structural engineering. Soden led a multidiscipline team of experts to Canada to examine ways of using advanced woven textiles to improve fabric formwork construction. Hosted by Prof Mark West, the globally renowned expert on fabric formwork at the Centre for Architecture and Structures Technology (CAST Centre), University of Manitoba, Canada. The mission also engaged with experts at the Composites Innovation Centre, Winnipeg, The Alternative Village, Manitoba and the Geotechnical Engineering Centre, Queens University Kingston. 12 presentations were delivered in total.

UK Dissemination took place in June-July 2012 through interactive workshops at Bath Innovation Centre, the Formwork Workshop at Edinburgh University, The Limes Net Conference (Bath, 300+ delegates), and through published case study. Secondary and tertiary impact and reach is achieved via the Limes Net website and WIKI.