Loam Walls with Algorithmically Generated 3D Natural Reinforcement

Project Information

AlgoLoam

Grant agreement ID: 101161620

DOI

10.3030/101161620

EC signature date 8 August 2024

Start date 1 October 2024

End date 30 September 2028

Funded under

• The European Innovation Council (EIC)

Total cost

€ 4 532 625,00

EU contribution

€ 4 532 625,00

Coordinated by

TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAET WIEN
Austria

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - AlgoLoam (Loam Walls with Algorithmically Generated 3D Natural Reinforcement)

Reporting period: 2024-10-01 to 2025-09-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The AlgoLoam project aims to develop the first fully biodegradable, self-supporting loam wall system made entirely from natural materials and reinforced with algorithmically generated 3D natural reinforcements. This project addresses the urgent need for sustainable, low-carbon construction by offering an alternative to conventional industrial materials, significantly reducing embodied greenhouse gas emissions while promoting locally sourced, renewable resources.

By bringing together an interdisciplinary team of architects, engineers, material scientists, textile technologists, and programmers, AlgoLoam integrates design, materials, and digital tools into a holistic system. Its expected impact includes substantial reductions in construction-related emissions, promotion of circular and renewable building materials, revitalisation of traditional craft through digital fabrication, and the provision of advanced digital tools for sustainability-conscious decision-making in the built environment. By merging nature-inspired design, high-performance bio-based materials, and computational intelligence, AlgoLoam envisions a transformative approach to architecture that is structurally efficient, environmentally responsible, digitally optimised, and scalable, providing a future-ready, regenerative model for sustainable construction.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

During the first reporting period, AlgoLoam advanced across its technical and scientific work packages. We established the conceptual framework for lightweight, natural, and biodegradable loam wall elements. Target parameters for thickness, density, thermal performance, and weight were defined to ensure easier transport and installation compared to conventional loam panels while reducing embodied GHG emissions. Activities included identifying potential applications, assessing material limitations of natural fibres, and integrating these constraints into digital models to ensure technical feasibility. Early prototyping of reinforcement and loam layers provided insights into material behaviour, fabrication workflows, and structural performance, establishing a foundation for further development. Custom mechanical testing evaluated fibre strength, flexibility, and friction, including performance under water-saturated conditions, to determine suitability for textile processing. Parallel finite element simulations in Abaqus assessed the reinforcement system under tension, compression, shear, and bending, providing insights into stiffness, deformation, and stress distribution. We further established a sustainability framework linking material selection, manufacturing, and digital design. Bio-based fibres and loam were evaluated through literature review, mapping, and preliminary LCAs, resulting in a sustainability matrix and materials catalogue.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

During the first reporting period, the AlgoLoam project achieved substantial progress in developing sustainable, high-performance loam wall systems by combining material research, bio-inspired design, advanced textile manufacturing, and digital tools. Suitable natural fibres for 3D reinforcement and loam composites were identified and evaluated, enabling mechanical testing, structural simulation, and sustainability assessments to proceed with reduced uncertainty. Innovative reinforcement structures were successfully developed, offering high stability, low stretchability, and adaptable material distribution to meet specific load requirements. The experimental validation of mechanical properties, textile feasibility, and construction techniques demonstrated the technical viability of replacing synthetic materials with biodegradable alternatives, thereby reducing the environmental footprint of construction. This integrated approach supports systematic understanding, optimisation, and industrial scalability of sustainable composite systems.

The potential impacts of the project are wide-ranging. The use of bio-based reinforced loam walls could significantly reduce environmental impacts compared to conventional cement- or lime-based systems. Novel textiles and loom adaptations open opportunities for industrial-scale sustainable construction materials, while natural textile reinforcement systems allow resource-efficient, optimised structural performance. Digital-physical integration accelerates innovation cycles and supports the development of high-performance, environmentally responsible construction solutions, with applications beyond the building sector.

To ensure further uptake and success, key needs include completing material testing for reinforcement textiles and loam layers, conducting demonstration projects to validate production, securing access to markets and finance, protecting intellectual property, and establishing supportive regulatory and standardisation frameworks. Continued research into textile designs and automated fabrication technologies will further strengthen industrial applicability, commercialisation potential, and international adoption.