Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Formwork for concrete construction remains one of the most resource-intensive, polluting, and constraining components of the construction sector, relying on prefabricated molds that demand extensive material, labor, and on-site preparation. We introduce a self-deploying formwork system based on multistable tubes that transform from a compact configuration to a full-scale structural mold with integrated steel reinforcement. We demonstrate this concept by deploying a steel-reinforced 2.36 m high structure within 14 seconds. We further observed that the polymer shell of the multistable tubes increases the structural strength by a factor of three, significantly enhancing their load-bearing capacity. The demonstrated concept paves the way for the creation of concrete castings with minimal on-site intervention, enabling a scalable pathway toward rapid, low-carbon construction methods.
Source: Communications Engineering
Language: English
Subfield: Civil and Structural Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,190
Funder: Azrieli Foundation
OpenAlex ID: W7170171513