i3Dc – Session S5

Resource-efficient construction of steel structures using laser cutting and metal 3D printing

Prof. Alper Kanyilmaz
Department of Architecture, Built Environment and Construction Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Italy

Abstract: Construction industry is a resource, labour, and energy-intensive industry that must keep pace with the rapid development aiming to decarbonise our world. Laser cutting and metal 3D printing techniques have opened new perspectives in many industries (e.g., aerospace, automotive), providing resource-efficient solutions thanks to the geometric freedom and digitalisation. The construction industry also could benefit from these advanced manufacturing methods; however, the major obstacle is the lack of technical experience, formal standards, and regulations in the construction sector. Dr Alper Kanyilmaz will present his research team’s findings in the field of robotic steel construction, and discuss the potentials of the laser-cutting and metal 3D printing techniques in reaching resource-efficient and elegant construction products.

Short Bio: Alper Kanyilmaz is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Architecture, Built Environment and Construction Engineering of Politecnico di Milano in Italy. His research goal is to explore new structural systems using steel, and contribute to the construction sector’s transition toward a digitalised and sustainable production of safe and elegant structures requiring less material and energy consumption.
He is studying the following topics:

• Automated off-site fabrication of steel structures using laser cutting, metal 3D printing, and bio-inspired topology optimisation methods to speed up construction, and reduce costs, waste, and manual work in the whole life cycle of a building.
• Rapid decision-making tools and methods to conceptually design cost-efficient building structures using artificial intelligence.
• Mitigation of dynamic actions (fatigue, seismic) on steel building, storage (e.g., warehouse, industrial) and renewable energy (e.g., wind) structures, with increased lifetime, repairability, and reuse.

His research lines are constructed using both numerical and experimental methods, up to high TRL levels (e.g., pilot-scale).
He has been a team leader and principal coordinator in several research projects, cooperating with the steel construction industry, different disciplines, and worldwide research institutes.
He transfers his research experience to the civil engineering and architecture students in terms of teaching, MSc and PhD thesis supervision.