Contour Crafting
Encyclopedia
Contour Crafting is a construction
process under development by Behrokh Khoshnevis
of the University of Southern California
's Information Sciences Institute
(in the Viterbi School of Engineering
) that uses a computer-controlled crane or gantry
to build edifices rapidly and efficiently without manual labor. It was originally conceived as a method to construct molds for industrial parts. Khoshnevis decided to adapt the technology for rapid home construction as a way to rebuild after natural disaster
s, like the devastating earthquake
s that have plagued his native Iran
.
Using a quick-setting, concrete-like material, Contour Crafting forms the house's walls layer by layer until topped off by floors and ceilings set in place by the crane. The system calls for the insertion of structural components, plumbing, wiring, utilities, and even consumer devices like audiovisual systems as the layers are built.
Khoshnevis claims that his system could build a complete home in a single day, and its electrically powered crane would produce very little construction material waste. The Science Channel
's Discoveries This Week program reports that, given 3-7 tons of material waste and the exhaust fumes from construction vehicles during standard home construction, Contour Crafting could significantly reduce environmental impact.
has provided funding for the Viterbi project since the summer of 2008.
Khoshnevis also states that NASA
is evaluating Contour Crafting for its application in the construction of bases on Mars
and the Moon
.
In 2009, Singularity University
graduate students established ACASA project with Khoshnevis as the CTO
to commercialize Contour Crafting.
Construction
In the fields of architecture and civil engineering, construction is a process that consists of the building or assembling of infrastructure. Far from being a single activity, large scale construction is a feat of human multitasking...
process under development by Behrokh Khoshnevis
Behrokh Khoshnevis
Behrokh Khoshnevis is a professor of Industrial & Systems Engineering and is the Director of Manufacturing Engineering Graduate Program at the University of Southern California ....
of the University of Southern California
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
's Information Sciences Institute
Information Sciences Institute
The Information Sciences Institute is a research and development unit of the University of Southern California's Viterbi School of Engineering which focuses on computer and communications technology and information processing...
(in the Viterbi School of Engineering
Viterbi School of Engineering
The Viterbi School of Engineering is located at the University of Southern California in the United States. It was renamed following a $52 million donation by Andrew Viterbi...
) that uses a computer-controlled crane or gantry
Gantry crane
Gantry cranes, bridge cranes, and overhead cranes, are all types of cranes which lift objects by a hoist which is fitted in a hoist trolley and can move horizontally on a rail or pair of rails fitted under a beam...
to build edifices rapidly and efficiently without manual labor. It was originally conceived as a method to construct molds for industrial parts. Khoshnevis decided to adapt the technology for rapid home construction as a way to rebuild after natural disaster
Natural disaster
A natural disaster is the effect of a natural hazard . It leads to financial, environmental or human losses...
s, like the devastating earthquake
Earthquake
An earthquake is the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves. The seismicity, seismism or seismic activity of an area refers to the frequency, type and size of earthquakes experienced over a period of time...
s that have plagued his native Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
.
Using a quick-setting, concrete-like material, Contour Crafting forms the house's walls layer by layer until topped off by floors and ceilings set in place by the crane. The system calls for the insertion of structural components, plumbing, wiring, utilities, and even consumer devices like audiovisual systems as the layers are built.
Khoshnevis claims that his system could build a complete home in a single day, and its electrically powered crane would produce very little construction material waste. The Science Channel
The Science Channel
Science is a United States cable, satellite and IPTV Television Network produced by Discovery Communications. Science features programming in the fields of space, technology, prehistory and animals.-History:...
's Discoveries This Week program reports that, given 3-7 tons of material waste and the exhaust fumes from construction vehicles during standard home construction, Contour Crafting could significantly reduce environmental impact.
Commercialization
Caterpillar Inc.Caterpillar Inc.
Caterpillar Inc. , also known as "CAT", designs, manufactures, markets and sells machinery and engines and sells financial products and insurance to customers via a worldwide dealer network. Caterpillar is the world's largest manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas...
has provided funding for the Viterbi project since the summer of 2008.
Khoshnevis also states that NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
is evaluating Contour Crafting for its application in the construction of bases on Mars
Colonization of Mars
The colonization of Mars by humans is the focus of speculation and serious study because the surface conditions and availability of water on Mars make it arguably the most hospitable planet in the solar system other than Earth...
and the Moon
Colonization of the Moon
The colonization of the Moon is the proposed establishment of permanent human communities on the Moon. Advocates of space exploration have seen settlement of the Moon as a logical step in the expansion of humanity beyond the Earth. Recent indication that water might be present in noteworthy...
.
In 2009, Singularity University
Singularity University
Singularity University is an academic institution in Silicon Valley whose stated aim is to "assemble, educate and inspire a cadre of leaders who strive to understand and facilitate the development of exponentially advancing technologies and apply, focus and guide these tools to address humanity’s...
graduate students established ACASA project with Khoshnevis as the CTO
Chief technical officer
A chief technology officer is an executive-level position in a company or other entity whose occupant is focused on scientific and technological issues within an organization....
to commercialize Contour Crafting.