Super-Composite: Carbon Fiber reinforced 3D Printed Tectonics

This research has developed three fibre reinforcement strategies of 3D-printed tectonics which are presented here. The implications of application of these fibre methods are closely observed in the contribution of the research to a series of architectural projects developed within the RMIT Architecture Tectonic Formation Lab. Through the exploration of innovative 3D printing techniques and invention of carbon fibre reinforcement strategies, this research examines the relationship between robotic fabrication strategies and design implications emerging from the development of technical methods.   

These are three fibre reinforcement strategies developed within the body of the work of this research:

1. Infused Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic (IFRP)

2. Exposed Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic (EFRP)

3. Tailored Fibre Placement Reinforced Plastic  (TFPRP)

Each of these methods were developed incrementally to facilitate the fabrication of each research project studied here. The sequential development of each project allows the research to self-reflect and respond to the limitations and opportunities which emerged from applying these fabrication methods.

This research investigates the viability, feasibility, and practicality of the fibre reinforced 3D-printing strategies which are enabled by a series of 3D printing technical innovations developed within the research.

Through the establishment of the three carbon fibre strategies, the 3D printing innovations and contribution to the research projects studied here, this research makes a series of contributions including:

1. Elaboration of a methodological reflection on the design implications of the strategies emerging from the body of this work.

2. Articulation of the viability of fibre reinforced 3D printing strategies as a robust architectural fabrication methods.

3. Contribution to the tectonic evolution of a lineage of projects within the community of practice and specifically, RMIT Architecture Tectonic Formation Lab.