Development of a Formation Method for a Complex Curve Surface by Automated Control of Supports
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: This paper verifies a method for fabricating concrete formwork with free-form curved surfaces by utilizing the bending deformation of an upper wooden plate supported by computer-controlled vertical actuators. In this study, a system was developed to control support accuracy by adjusting the heights of a 3 × 3 support matrix, using sensors for measurement and motors for positioning. Experiments were conducted using 1/2- and 1/3-scale experimental devices. While the experiments confirmed both the automated control operation and the feasibility of concrete casting on curved surfaces, they also revealed challenges for full-scale practical application. Specifically, the maximum errors were 27.8 mm for the 1/3 scale and 112.2 mm for the 1/2 scale, which were attributed to joint-related issues. These findings indicate that corrections are required for future full-scale implementations.
Source: Buildings
Authors: Jun Nakagawa, Sei Hayashi, Tomoyuki Gondo
Institutions: The University of Tokyo, Tokyo Metropolitan University
Language: English
Subfield: Civil and Structural Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,137
OpenAlex ID: W7168581522