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FREEFORM
CONSTRUCTION STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION
Integration of HVAC and Service Systems by Freeform Construction (RMiC)
Richard Buswell, Alistair Gibb, Rupert Soar, Tony Thorpe -
Loughborough University IMCRC
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BACKGROUND
Freeform Construction will enable structural engineers and architects to
design, integrate, and then ‘print’ ducting and channelling within the
structure during fabrication. Freeform Construction will enable solutions to skills
shortages and meet the requirement for fully integrated systems within
the structure. On one level this includes the simultaneous
fabrication of complex servicing systems within the buildings
structure, as it is constructed. Moving away from current methods
of secondary fixing and assembly of components on site, Freeform Construction enhances the
design process by drawing the entire design function, including the
service requirements of the structure, into a single CAD to manufacture
approach.
Depending
on the requirements of the building’s function, analytical tools will
allow the calculation of optimum paths for piping and ducting within the
structure as it is printed. To realise this, Freeform Construction will ‘print’ vertical or
‘spinal’ trunking systems and horizontal networks with jointless/seamless
channelling. Ultimately, Freeform Construction techniques will expand into integrated
wiring and optical distribution systems within the structure, in line
with current developments in emerging Rapid Manufacturing ‘direct writing’ technologies
which print the electronics and the component simultaneously. On
another level, integration will take place on a more local level.
Opportunities exist to print plant room systems in much the same way as
engine manifold systems are manufactured with electronic and solenoid
elements inserted into the system.
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OBJECTIVES
The proposed
research identifies two troublesome service interfaces: Inter-services
and services/fabric. Logistical coordination issues are costly in terms
of time, and services routes are seldom optimal in any sense. This
increases the number of direction changes and fittings which leads to:
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Increased installation cost.
Additional maintenance.
Increased installation distances and hence greater losses.
Increased running costs, energy consumption and emissions.
Increased installed material and construction waste.
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A single
point services distribution network can address these issues. The
fabrication technology can be addressed by linking to Computer Aided
Optimisation or Metamorphic Development techniques with solid CAD (UG/ProE)
software. Plant rooms pose a difficult problem for the designer, and
quite often for maintenance staff. Architecturally, they are squashed
into the smallest space possible. In conjunction with the above, it will
be possible to optimise the entire plant room in terms of
serviceability, volume, flow resistance and useful heat exchange.
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The research
sets will set out to attack these issues at various levels and to
provide the tools and technology to implement a significant shift in the
design, installation and building fabric methods. As part of the
analysis of the approach the research will consider tempered air
distribution and Fan Coil Unit design. The integrated services
concept is to run all services housed in one pre-fabricated section.
This is installed, in lengths, which are as long as possible to minimise
joints. All splits, merges and junctions will be designed into the
manufacture process. A single material will house the services artery.
Embedded within this will be the power and control wiring, and even the
sensors and control circuits, or the pneumatic equivalent. In the medium
term, it is unlikely that valves will be constructed as part of the
system. However, design flexibility will allow these to be located in
accessible and (performance) optimal locations.
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