Pearl-chain proposal for advanced structure to be made withou scaffolding. (Student project Trine Bay and Casper Gullach).
Architectural expressions never seen before
By means of the pearl-chain reinforcement very advanced 3-dimensional curves can be created from simple prefabricated core elements which are assembled by prestressing wires or rods. Many curved design projects have from time to time been abandoned for economical reasons. Curved moulds, extensive scaffolds, and labour for production have been too expensive. Super-light structures with pearl-chain reinforcement turn these conditions upside down, because it now becomes affordable to make a curved design. Since arches and curved structures usually gives optimized supports for loads, this leads to a situation, where the cheapest and most resource saving design is curved. Therefore, in the future, it must be foreseen that architecture may change as a consequence of the new technology from rectangular shapes to more organic curved expressions.
No Scaffolding
A pearl-chain or a skeleton of pearl-chains is assembled by prestressing so that it can be erected without the need for provisional support.
It may also carry moulds for the light material, so that scaffolding can be completely avoided. The weight of the light weight concrete can be 4 times less than that of ordinary concrete. Low weight of the moulds makes it easier for the pearl-chain reinforcement to support them.