MATERIALS –TOOLS –CONCEPTS: EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES INARCHITECTURAL ENGINEERING

摘要

Recent advances in material technology and information technology enable new concepts in architecture and civil engineering. These aspects are going to be discussed in relation to the development of lightweight structures. In recent years new materials played a major role in architectural practice and research: The enhancement of traditional materials, such as reinforced concrete, can be achieved with the employment of high-strength concrete or textile reinforcement. Further on smart materials are able to adapt their physical or chemical properties, in order to optimise the mechanical or thermal response of a structure or building. Rapid advances in information technology provide new tools for the computer-aided design and manufacturing process. The ongoing integral digital planning process leads to high quality projects. But not only the design process is influenced by these findings, but the real project as well: electrical systems are nowadays a substantial part of buildings to control heating or the communication systems, in future they might influence the structural behaviour as well. The above mentioned development will result in new concepts for architecture and civil engineering in order to generate adaptive systems, which interact with the users. These developments, with consideration of economic concerns, are one important goal. The question how the introduction of adaptive systems influences the design process and finally the appearance of buildings is not answered yet, but it is clear that these new materials, new tools and new concepts will influence our built environment.