Automated earth-construction: scale up and potential for soil bioremediation

Abstract

This research presents a methodology for automated construction of engineered earth structures in temporary, or "meanwhile," landscapes. Through a series of experiments, the optimal material compositions were identified to balance bioremediation potential based on cell viability, and structural stability based on rheological criteria. The study integrated computational design with environmental analysis and developed robotic manufacturing techniques optimized for heterogeneous materials. This approach aims to achieve manufacturing repeatability by accommodating variations in local soil, ensuring reliable performance across different sites. A set of small-scale prototypes were created, along with a full-scale demonstrator installed on a meanwhile site and monitored over 12 months (5mx3.5mx1.5 m). Automated earth construction enables the precise design of a landscape’s composition, layout, and structure, which subsequently influences abiotic factors like soil moisture, temperature, and aeration essential for microbial activity. This workflow establishes the basis for a soil-agnostic robotic manufacturing process, enabling the on-site delivery of beneficial microbial consortia to remediate pollution and improve soil health.