{"id":{"repo_id":"mit","oai_identifier":"oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/163545"},"canonical_url":"https://search.dev.ndltd.org/etd/mit/oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/163545","repository":{"repo_id":"mit","name":"MIT","base_url":"https://dspace.mit.edu/oai/request"},"display":{"title":"Programmable Mud: 3D Printing earth to achieve low-carbon, low-cost construction automation","abstract":"Large-scale additive manufacturing (LSAM) with locally sourced materials, such as earth, presents a promising approach to addressing the urgent challenges of rapid urbanization and construction-related carbon emissions. This dissertation establishes a comprehensive framework for integrating low-carbon materials, particularly minimally processed earth, with computational design methodologies and robotic fabrication processes for architectural-scale applications. Through systematic material characterization, novel testing protocols, and case studies across multiple building systems, the research demonstrates that minimally processed earthen materials can be transformed into high-performance building elements uniquely suited to local environmental conditions and design considerations. The developed computational framework employs multi-objective optimization and material-aware toolpath generation to balance structural performance, thermal comfort, embodied carbon, and construction time. Four case studies validate this approach: (1) toolpath optimization for shell structures, (2) a hybrid floor system combining shape-optimized concrete beams with 3D-printed ceramic blocks, (3) zero-waste earthen formwork for reinforced concrete, and (4) thermally optimized wall systems for passive climate control. Life cycle assessment reveals that 3D-printed earth structures have approximately one-fifth the embodied carbon of conventional concrete and one-fiftieth that of industry-standard 3D-printed mortar. This research bridges the gap between additive computational design and material circularity, offering scalable approaches to sustainable construction that can be implemented across diverse environmental and economic contexts.","abstract_html":"Large-scale additive manufacturing (LSAM) with locally sourced materials, such as earth, presents a promising approach to addressing the urgent challenges of rapid urbanization and construction-related carbon emissions. This dissertation establishes a comprehensive framework for integrating low-carbon materials, particularly minimally processed earth, with computational design methodologies and robotic fabrication processes for architectural-scale applications. Through systematic material characterization, novel testing protocols, and case studies across multiple building systems, the research demonstrates that minimally processed earthen materials can be transformed into high-performance building elements uniquely suited to local environmental conditions and design considerations. The developed computational framework employs multi-objective optimization and material-aware toolpath generation to balance structural performance, thermal comfort, embodied carbon, and construction time. Four case studies validate this approach: (1) toolpath optimization for shell structures, (2) a hybrid floor system combining shape-optimized concrete beams with 3D-printed ceramic blocks, (3) zero-waste earthen formwork for reinforced concrete, and (4) thermally optimized wall systems for passive climate control. Life cycle assessment reveals that 3D-printed earth structures have approximately one-fifth the embodied carbon of conventional concrete and one-fiftieth that of industry-standard 3D-printed mortar. This research bridges the gap between additive computational design and material circularity, offering scalable approaches to sustainable construction that can be implemented across diverse environmental and economic contexts.","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Curth, Alexander (Sandy) McCormick"],"institution":"Massachusetts Institute of Technology","degree_name":"Doctoral","degree_level":null,"degree_discipline":null,"degree_department":"Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 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This dissertation establishes a comprehensive framework for integrating low-carbon materials, particularly minimally processed earth, with computational design methodologies and robotic fabrication processes for architectural-scale applications. Through systematic material characterization, novel testing protocols, and case studies across multiple building systems, the research demonstrates that minimally processed earthen materials can be transformed into high-performance building elements uniquely suited to local environmental conditions and design considerations. The developed computational framework employs multi-objective optimization and material-aware toolpath generation to balance structural performance, thermal comfort, embodied carbon, and construction time. Four case studies validate this approach: (1) toolpath optimization for shell structures, (2) a hybrid floor system combining shape-optimized concrete beams with 3D-printed ceramic blocks, (3) zero-waste earthen formwork for reinforced concrete, and (4) thermally optimized wall systems for passive climate control. Life cycle assessment reveals that 3D-printed earth structures have approximately one-fifth the embodied carbon of conventional concrete and one-fiftieth that of industry-standard 3D-printed mortar. This research bridges the gap between additive computational design and material circularity, offering scalable approaches to sustainable construction that can be implemented across diverse environmental and economic contexts."]},{"key":"dc:description.degree","label":"Dc Description Degree","values":["Ph.D."]},{"key":"dc:title","label":"Title","values":["Programmable Mud: 3D Printing earth to achieve low-carbon, low-cost construction automation"]}]}],"canonical_facts":{"dc:contributor.advisor":["Sass, Lawrence"],"dc:contributor.department":["Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Architecture"],"dc:creator":["Curth, Alexander (Sandy) McCormick"],"dc:date.accessioned":["2025-11-05T19:33:37Z"],"dc:date.available":["2025-11-05T19:33:37Z"],"dc:date.issued":["2025-05"],"dc:description.abstract":["Large-scale additive manufacturing (LSAM) with locally sourced materials, such as earth, presents a promising approach to addressing the urgent challenges of rapid urbanization and construction-related carbon emissions. This dissertation establishes a comprehensive framework for integrating low-carbon materials, particularly minimally processed earth, with computational design methodologies and robotic fabrication processes for architectural-scale applications. Through systematic material characterization, novel testing protocols, and case studies across multiple building systems, the research demonstrates that minimally processed earthen materials can be transformed into high-performance building elements uniquely suited to local environmental conditions and design considerations. The developed computational framework employs multi-objective optimization and material-aware toolpath generation to balance structural performance, thermal comfort, embodied carbon, and construction time. Four case studies validate this approach: (1) toolpath optimization for shell structures, (2) a hybrid floor system combining shape-optimized concrete beams with 3D-printed ceramic blocks, (3) zero-waste earthen formwork for reinforced concrete, and (4) thermally optimized wall systems for passive climate control. Life cycle assessment reveals that 3D-printed earth structures have approximately one-fifth the embodied carbon of conventional concrete and one-fiftieth that of industry-standard 3D-printed mortar. This research bridges the gap between additive computational design and material circularity, offering scalable approaches to sustainable construction that can be implemented across diverse environmental and economic contexts."],"dc:description.degree":["Ph.D."],"dc:identifier.uri":["https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/163545"],"dc:publisher":["Massachusetts Institute of Technology"],"dc:rights":["In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted","Copyright retained by author(s)"],"dc:rights.uri":["https://rightsstatements.org/page/InC-EDU/1.0/"],"dc:title":["Programmable Mud: 3D Printing earth to achieve low-carbon, low-cost construction automation"],"dc:type":["Thesis"],"thesis:degree_name":["Doctoral","Doctor of Philosophy"]},"updated_at":"2026-07-22T22:21:18Z"}