Imagine a world where construction materials can be assembled and disassembled as easily as LEGO bricks. This vision is not just a dream; it represents a revolutionary approach to building known as circular construction. The core principle behind this concept is to reuse and repurpose building materials to minimize waste and reduce the carbon footprint associated with construction processes. With the construction industry responsible for significant greenhouse gas emissions, particularly in the form of "embodied carbon," innovative solutions are urgently needed.MIT engineers are at the forefront of this revolution, developing a new type of reconfigurable masonry made from 3D-printed, recycled glass. Using a custom 3D glass printing technology from MIT spinoff Evenline, the team has created robust, multilayered glass bricks shaped like figure eights that interlock much like traditional LEGO blocks.The Potential of Circular ConstructionCircular construction emphasizes sustainability by enabling the disassembly of buildings at the end of their life cycles. This allows materials to be reused in new structures, effectively creating a sustainable cycle that can last for generations. The aim is to minimize the production of new materials and thus reduce the carbon footprint associated with manufacturing and demolition.Kaitlyn Becker, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at MIT, explains, “We’re taking glass and turning it into masonry that, at the end of a structure’s life, can be disassembled and reassembled into a new structure, or can be stuck back into the printer and turned into a completely different shape.” This highlights the eco-friendly potential of the materials being used and underscores the importance of sustainability in modern architecture.The Innovative Design of Glass BricksIn mechanical testing, the new glass bricks demonstrated impressive strength, withstanding pressures comparable to concrete blocks. As part of their research, the team constructed a wall using these interlocking glass bricks, showcasing the structural potential of this innovative material. The design allows for significant versatility, enabling these bricks to be reused repeatedly for building facades and internal walls.The journey to developing these bricks began in MIT’s Glass Lab, where Becker and Michael Stern, a former MIT graduate student and founder of Evenline, first learned about the art and science of glass. Stern was inspired to create a 3D printer capable of printing molten recycled glass while exploring how glass printing could intersect with construction.Using the Glass 3D Printer 3 (G3DP3), the team printed prototype glass bricks made from soda-lime glass, commonly used in glassblowing. Each brick features two round pegs, similar to the studs on LEGO bricks, allowing for easy interlocking and assembly into larger structures. A removable material is placed between the bricks to prevent scratching, which can also be taken out if the structure is disassembled for recycling.Engineering Challenges and InnovationsThe project faced several challenges, particularly regarding the complex nature of working with glass as a structural material. Becker notes, “Glass is a complicated material to work with.” The interlocking features of the bricks, which were initially made from different materials, showed the most promise in terms of structural integrity.The researchers found that the strongest bricks were able to support pressures comparable to those borne by traditional concrete blocks. These bricks were primarily made from printed glass, with some interlocking components potentially being printed or manufactured separately.While the team is exploring ways to create more interlocking features from printed glass, they believe this won't hinder their progress toward scaling up the design. They have already constructed a curved wall of interlocking glass bricks as a demonstration of the material’s potential.The Future of Glass MasonryLooking ahead, Becker and Stern envision taking their research further by developing larger, self-supporting glass structures. They plan to begin with temporary structures, such as pavilions, that can be interacted with and reconfigured into new designs. This flexibility aligns perfectly with the principles of circular construction, allowing materials to have multiple lives and reducing waste.As they continue to explore the limits of this innovative material, Becker and Stern aim to pave the way for a new era in sustainable architecture. The research highlights how advanced technologies can be leveraged to create environmentally friendly construction materials that not only reduce waste but also inspire a paradigm shift in how we approach building design.This groundbreaking work, supported by the Bose Research Grant Program and MIT’s Research Support Committee, showcases the potential of 3D-printed glass masonry to revolutionize the construction industry. By merging sustainability with advanced engineering, MIT engineers are leading the way toward a more sustainable future in construction.
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