This research, also part of the series the Computational Column initially departed from the idea of a clay cladding system for structural steel columns. The clay cladding system is meant to accommodate plant growth in exterior spaces, as well as insects and small birds. This system thinking was extended and adapted to the use of geopolymers, where the the cladding is translated into self-interlocking column drums. Clay requires a double process of firing in order to achieve a high level of vitrification of the clay body, increasing strength and reducing porosity. This process is by its nature very energy intense and accompanied by challenges of shrinkage and warping of the clay body. In order to reduce this, other material systems were considered. Geoploymers were used to replace clay, as these are low-cost, environmentally friendly materials that do not require firing.
Different classification systems exist for geopolymers depending on their composition. In a simplified manner, they describe a class of materials whose material behaviour lies between clay and concrete, and are often explored as a more sustainable replacement for Portland cement due to its significantly lower CO2 emissions.
For this research we collaborated with the company WASP on the 3D printing with geopolymer. WASP was also involved in the adaptation of the material mix to fit the geometric requirements and the robotic setup for additive manufacturing. The column was created using a geopolymer material developed as part of the Italian project GLAMS, in which WASP collaborates with the Italian Space Agency. The GLAMS project aims to produce structural elements for constructing lunar bases through 3D printing techniques. For terrestrial printing, the material was reformulated using metakaolin and sand instead of lunar regolith simulant, thus adapting the mixture to the conditions and resources available on Earth.