Within the research project “3dTEX - Textiles Leichtwandelement“ of the research initiative Zukunft Bau the suitability of specially produced spacer fabrics is being examined for the application as light, self-supporting wall elements in the building envelope.
Hereto different geometries for spacer fabrics are being developed and filling techniques are being tested.
The result is a one-layer textile lightweight wall elements made of foamed and plastic deformed spacer fabrics (see image above), as well as a two-layer and planar spacer fabrics, which once foamed offers a bearing and insulating layer and further an integrated ventilation layer.
To improve recycling capabilities the goal to the mid-term is to develop a structural differentiated mono-material. In a first step specific values of most diverse organic and inorganic fibers and foam materials were collected and examined on their potential combinability. For the constructed demonstrators in scale 1:1 (testing elements made of PE-fiber and PU-foam) mechanical values as well as building physical values were determined and the high gradient potential of the composite material examined.