Lightweight construction with concrete - selected research work of ILEK - Part 2: Lightweight structures

Since more than 20 years the Institute for Lightweight Structures and Conceptual Design has been dealing in interdisciplinary research projects with the supposed paradox of "lightweight construction with concrete". In a two-part article, excerpts from current research on this topic are now presented. While the first part of this article focuses on lightweight materials, the second part deals with lightweight structures with an emphasis on design and manufacturing approaches for resource-efficient and more sustainable concrete components. This includes recent investigations into the load-bearing behavior and prestressing of functionally graded concrete structures. In addition to minimizing the component weight, it is shown how the ecological footprint can be further reduced by designing reusable concrete segments. Approaches to the zero-waste production of resource-saving, filigree structures by means of additive manufacturing processes are demonstrated using the example of 3D-printed recyclable sand formwork and bio-concrete. Finally, beyond classical lightweight construction, potentials for further material savings through adaptive concrete components are presented.