Tom joined the ERBE CDT as a Doctoral Researcher in 2023 through Loughborough University, working with the Building Energy Research Group (BERG) and the 3D Concrete Printing Group (3DCP). Prior to this, he completed a Civil Engineering BEng and a building services engineering MSc. Tom is a proactive researcher with a broad interest in producing a higher quality, affordable, and decarbonised housing stock in the UK, with a specific focus on the measurement of materials, components, and buildings to inform predictive models.
Work:
PhD Title: Characterising the hygrothermal performance of 3D printed walls.
3D Concrete Printing (3DCP) is an emerging modern method of construction (MMC) involving a robotic system extruding a modified concrete to construct building components layer by layer, following a set of toolpath instructions. The technology is gaining traction for constructing the superstructure of low-rise domestic buildings, potentially replacing the labour-intensive construction of masonry cavity walls which have been used for 86% of homes built in the UK since 1980. However, for 3DCP to become viable in the UK, printed walls must comply with Building Regulations, including Parts C & L encompassing moisture risk and thermal performance.
Despite growing research and adoption, a knowledge gap remains regarding the hygrothermal performance of 3D printed concrete walls. Studies have identified inhomogeneity and anisotropic structural properties, which likely reflect on hygrothermal properties. Designers predicting moisture risk or heat loss must provide accurate input parameters representing each material in use and their and orientation. Tom’s research will characterise the anisotropy in hygrothermal properties, explore how well these standardised properties describe the flows of heat and moisture through 3D printed walls, and how anisotropy influences the design of 3D printed walls for performance.
Supervisors: Prof David Allinson – Dr Matthew Li – Prof Richard Buswell