A low-carbon, funicular concrete floor system: design and engineering of the HiLo floors

Abstract

This paper reports on the integrated computational design, engineering and construction of the concrete, rib-stiffened funicular floors of the HiLo research & innovation unit, built on the NEST platform in Dübendorf, Switzerland. These floors represent the first application of this innovative technology in a real project. The lightweight structural floors significantly reduce environmental impact and embodied carbon emissions, when compared to common reinforced concrete slabs, both by minimising material needs and by using a large percentage of recycled construction waste, thus additionally contributing to a circular economy in construction.