Lightweight structures and material optimized systems are of major relevance in the building industry and particularly in the design of concrete structures. This is not only for aesthetic reasons, but also to use material in a resource conserving way. The increase of strength characteristics, as one measure to reduce cross section dimensions, postulates the prefabrication of cementitious materials under laboratory conditions. This thesis examines the contradiction of the possibility to realize slender concrete elements and the complexity of the discontinued homogeneity arising from necessary segmentations. Proposals of implementation strategies are demonstrated and verified on the basis of selected case studies.

Over the past decades we witnessed a tremendous shift in the principles of architectural design based on the advancement of computer aided design and manufacturing. Computation in architecture came with a whole new set of techniques as well as theories that did change the way we build and design today. This research investigates ways to embed computational simulation and optimisation into architectural design processes at an early, conceptual stage. Simulation and optimization are not seen as a post-design strategy to improve performance aspects of a well-developed design, but rather as design strategies in their own rights. Therefore, design approaches employing simulation and optimization were developed, tested and discussed. Conditions and prerequisites for successfully embedding simulation and optimization into architectural design processes were formulated and benefits were derived. Design approaches that use digital simulation and optimization are characterised by not favouring rational form finding above intuitive form making, or vice versa – they rather support informed design decisions. Therefore, Informed Form Generation is established as a design approach within this thesis. It is not one specific, universally applicable process, but rather comprises a category of approaches and constitutes an attitude.

Energy, economic, and social concerns are becoming increasingly important due to climate change, threats to energy security, depletion of traditional resources, and threats to human health. Integration of green resources and the adoption of clean technologies are of strategic importance for civil engineering. To preserve natural resources and promote responsible engineering, it is essential to be aware of the clean technologies emerging in the field of civil engineering. Clean Technologies and Sustainable Development in Civil Engineering addresses clean technologies for the sustainable future of practical applications from civil engineering. It presents the latest research results and state-of-the-art methodologies that address top concerns and establish cooperative research and development worldwide. Covering topics such as green urbanization, sustainable waste management, and solar thermal energy, this premier reference source is an indispensable resource for civil engineers, scientists, environmentalists, students and educators of higher education, specialists, libraries, researchers, and academicians.

One of the main goals of a good and effective structural design is to decrease, as far as possible, the self-weight of structures, because they must carry the service load. This is especially important for reinforced concrete (RC) structures, as the self-weight of the material is substantial. For RC structures it is furthermore important that the w

Bringing together pioneers in design and making within architecture, construction, engineering, manufacturing, materials technology and computation, Fabricate is a triennial international conference, now in its third year (ICD, University of Stuttgart, April 2017). The 2017 edition features 32 illustrated articles on built projects and works in progress from academia and practice, including contributions from leading practices such as Foster + Partners, Zaha Hadid Architects, Arup, and Ron Arad, and from world-renowned institutions including ICD Stuttgart, Harvard, Yale, MIT, Princeton University, The Bartlett School of Architecture (UCL) and the Architectural Association.Each year it produces a supporting publication, to date the only one of its kind specialising in Digital Fabrication.