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Amicarelli_ENBLANCO_eb.2025.24668
Journal article

Foldcast. : Optimizing concrete structures with paper formwork

  • 2025
Published in:
  • EN BLANCO. Revista de Arquitectura. - 2025, vol. 17, no. 39, p. 126-131
Concrete
Sustainability
Formwork
Digital fabrication
Structural optimization
English Concrete is the most widely used building material worldwide, valued for its availability, strength, durability, and versatility. However, its extensive use makes it one of the largest contributors to CO₂ emissions in the built environment, despite having lower embodied carbon per unit volume than many alternatives. A transition toward more sustainable construction therefore requires reducing material consumption and minimizing waste. Foldcast addresses this challenge by enabling up to 50% material savings in structural elements through the use of low-cost, recyclable paper formwork. This method combines structural optimization strategies with digital fabrication technologies to produce large-scale concrete elements. Two full-scale applications for a ribbed concrete slab and a precast staircase demonstrate the potential of this approach to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of concrete structures while enhancing architectural design flexibility. Furthermore, the affordability and compatibility of paper formwork with conventional construction practices highlights its promise for widespread adoption in the building industry.
Collections
Language
  • English
Classification
Architecture
License
CC BY-NC-SA
Open access status
gold
Identifiers
Persistent URL
https://n2t.net/ark:/12658/srd1334062
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