Nonlinear analysis of the load-bearing capacity of folded carbon reinforced concrete modules

Given the increasing demand for low-carbon construction, the shift from massive to thin-walled, highly efficient elements are becoming increasingly necessary. The origami-inspired folded carbon concrete shells are emerging as an alternative to traditional reinforced concrete structures for the development of economical and sustainable structures. However, the field currently lacks any well-established design and analysis methods that can reliably predict how folded shells will behave structurally when optimal variants, load-bearing capacity, stress redistribution, and failure mechanisms are considered. Based on this, two FEM modeling approaches to analyze folded waterbomb-patterned shells were implemented. In these approaches, the carbon reinforcement is modeled in both smeared and resolved forms, whereas a damage plasticity model is applied to the concrete. The testing of the demonstrator elements validates the results of these approaches, which complement the foundation for the design and analysis of folded origami shells.