Triply Periodic Minimal Surfaces – A Novel Design Approach for Lightweight CRC Structures

Sebastian Wiesenhuetter*, Tom Goertzen, Iurii Vakaliuk, Manfred Curbach, Silke Scheerer, Alice C. Niemeyer, Jörg Rainer Noennig

*Corresponding author for this work

Abstract

Triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMS) are studied in material sciences because they have a high stiffness to weight ratio and variable relative density. However, their use in the design of building components at large scales has not been fully explored. This is partly due to their complex nature and the resulting difficult integration into the design process. In this paper, we therefore briefly discuss the state of the art and mathematical approaches for generation of TPMS and propose a digital design process controlling the main parameters of surface type and relative density. Performing a preliminary mechanical analysis for the Gyroid, Schwarz D and Lidinoid surfaces, we compare these parameters’ influence on the stiffness to density ratio within a hollow thin-walled concrete slab under consideration of possible 3D-printing with concrete. While the classification of TPMS poses an open mathematical problem, they offer a huge repertoire of potential structures and a valuable design tool for lightweight carbon reinforced concrete structures.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationBuilding for the Future: Durable, Sustainable, Resilient
Subtitle of host publicationProceedings of the fib Symposium 2023 - Volume 2
EditorsAlper Ilki, Derya Çavunt, Yavuz Selim Çavunt
Place of PublicationCham
Pages1449-1458
Number of pages10
Edition1.
ISBN (Electronic)978-3-031-32511-3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2023
Externally publishedYes
EventInternational Symposium of the International Federation for Structural Concrete, fib Symposium 2023 - Istanbul, Turkey
Duration: 5 Jun 20237 Jun 2023

Publication series

NameLecture Notes in Civil Engineering
Volume350 LNCE
ISSN (Print)2366-2557
ISSN (Electronic)2366-2565

Conference

ConferenceInternational Symposium of the International Federation for Structural Concrete, fib Symposium 2023
Country/TerritoryTurkey
CityIstanbul
Period5/06/237/06/23

Keywords

  • carbon reinforced concrete (CRC)
  • crystallographic symmetry
  • minimal surfaces
  • triply periodic structures

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