Contour crafting is an automated construction method that uses computer-controlled equipment to construct buildings by depositing materials in layers. It allows entire structures to be built rapidly through an additive fabrication process. Contour crafting embeds elements like plumbing, electrical wiring, and reinforcement during construction. It provides benefits like design flexibility, faster construction, lower costs, and improved safety compared to traditional methods. Potential applications include emergency housing, low-income housing, and commercial construction.

1. AUTOMATED CONSTRUCTION BY
CONTOUR CRAFTING
Prepared by
Surya C.D
ME CEM
NIT

2. Contents
•Introduction
•Contour crafting
•Application in construction
•Characteristics of contour crafting
•Alternative robotics approach
•Applications
•Comparison
•Conclusion

3. Introduction
 Growth of Automation in the construction
field has slow due to following reasons
• Unsuitability of available automated
fabrication for large scale projects
• Conventional design approaches that are not
suitable for automation
• Smaller ratio of production quantity as compared
with other industries

4. • Limitations in the materials used
• Expense of automated equipment
• Managerial issues
 Serious problems in the construction industry
• Labor efficiency is low
• Accident rate at construction site is high
• Work quality is low
• Control of construction site is insufficient and difficult
• Skilled work force is vanishing.
Cont…

5. Contour crafting
CC is an additive fabrication technology by
using computer control
CC is a layered fabrication method which
combines ancient surface forming concepts with
modern robotics technology

6. Cont…
• A single house or colony of houses each with
possibly different design may be
automatically constructed in a single run by
the help of computer control.
• Conduits for electrical, plumbing and air
conditioning are embedded in cc
construction.
• It provides better surface quality & high
speed fabrication

8. Application in construction
Construction of conventional building Construction of adobe building

9. Characteristics of CC
1. Design Flexibility
2. Multiple materials
3. Paint ready surfaces
4. Automated tiling of floors and walls
5. Automated reinforcement
6. Automated plumbing and electrical works

10. 1. Design flexibility
• Provides Flexibility while
designing structures.
• Functional and exotic
architectural geometries
• Difficult to construct using
traditional construction
techniques

11. 2. Automated painting
• By spray paint nozzles
 Gives good textured surface

12. 3. Automatic tiling of floors and walls

13. 4. Automated reinforcement
Metal coil placed on the top layer A fresh layer of extrudate cover the coil
a).For ordinary buildings Coil Reinforcement

14. 5.Automated plumbing
For every so many layers plumbing modules
which have solder in the inner rim are assembled.
Joints are made by electric heater which melts the
solder.

15. 6.Automated Electrical & Communication
utilities
Conductive
elements for power
and
communication
lines are imbedded
in polymeric
blocks and are
assembled
robotically to form
the desired
electrical and
communication
networks.

16. Applications
• Applications in emergency houses
• Low income housing
• Commercial application

17. Applications in emergency housing
• Can deliver houses to disaster victims very rapidly.
• 200 sq. foot house in less than 24 hours.
• Uses in-situ construction materials, saving the time
and cost.
• Automated process, labor needs are minimized.

18. Low income housing
 It can reduce cost of financing by reducing the
duration of project.
Can reduce the cost of materials, because it is
waste less process.
Can reduce the labor cost.
Can save the life of labors, because it is very safe
method of construction

19. Portion Due to If automated by
CC
20-25% Financing Short produced
length
25-30% Materials Will be a waste
less process
45-55% Labor Will be
significantly
reduced
What constitutes construction cost?

20. Comparison
–Traditional System
Mixing, transporting and placing of
concrete
Truck mixing is used mostly
Concrete is transported through belt
conveyors, buckets and chutes depending
on site and structure design

21. Continue…
• Using CC system
 First layer of concrete is poured to a height of 5 inches.
 Successive layer are poured on the top of the previous layer after an
hour
 The one hour delay is sufficient to control the lateral pressure of the
concrete by following it to cure and harden
 A 10 foot high wall can be erected in a day considering the one hour
delay after each layer
 The time delay for the concrete hardening can be adjusted using
chemical accelerators

22. Conclusion
Entire neighborhood can be built
 At a fraction of time
 At a fraction of cost
 For more safely
 With ultimate architectural flexibility and highest
precision
 Without wastage of raw materials
 Without CO2 emission

23. REFERENCE
• Journals
1. Warsazwiski,&R. Navon, “ Implementation of robotics in
building: current status and future prospects “,Journal
construction engineering and Management,
2. Koshnevis, R.Russel, H.Know “ contour crafting a layered
fabrication technique”
Websites
1.www.contourcrafting.org
2.www.rcf.ucs.edu
3. www.wikipedia.com