Extreme Architectural Engineering:
Construction Automation by Dante N Bini

This web site deals with research and development in the use of automation in constructing building structures for a variety of purposes. The applications range from affordable housing, schools and shopping centers, etc., built in different countries of the world, to conceptual cities' infrastructures to be built from the sea floor or in deserts. Extra terrestrial projects where construction automation using applied physics and robotics are also envisioned and described herein.

This site contains:

  1. An introduction to BiniSystems technology
    In 1964 Dante N Bini built the first hemispherical thin shell structure by pneumatically and automatically lifting all the necessary construction materials, which were distributed horizontally over a pneumatic form anchored to a circular ring beam, from ground level into an hemispherical dome. After the initial ground preparation was finished, that concrete thin shell structure was built in 60 minutes.
    1. Construction Automation. This paper details the concepts behind the Binisystems construction methodology.
    2. A sequence of 70 slides as presented by Dante Bini at Stanford University in his course on Construction Automation. The sequence starts by illustrating the pioneering work done by Felix Candela, Hans Isler, Buckminster Fuller and Frei Otto. Those four Masters inspired the work done by Dante Bini who applied construction automation in the field of thin shell and tension structures, and geodesic domes.
    3. "La Reversabilità del Costruire" (in Italian) Talk delivered to the Round Table "The Reversability of Construction", 26 January 2001, in Firenze, Italy.
  2. Constructed Projects
    1. BINISHELL SYSTEM
      This patented method of construction, in approx. 60-120 minutes, produces circular-based, monolithic, reinforced concrete shell structures, with elliptical section, ranging in size from 12 to 40 meters in diameter. Over 1,500 buildings are in use in 23 Countries.
    2. MINISHELL SYSTEM
      This method of construction represents a development of the original Binishell patent. It produces small, low-cost, square or octagonal-based, monolithic, reinforced concrete shell structures, provided with four openings resulting from the construction process itself. Several tourist villages are in use in Australia and Italy. Erection time: 30-40 minutes. It is considered to be the cheapest and fastest system for instant permanent low-cost housing shelters applicable for developing countries.
    3. BINIX SYSTEM
      This patented method of construction produces hexagonal-based monolithic reinforced concrete framed or ribbed dome structures with spans of 40 to 64 meters. Erection time: 120-270 minutes. The first prototype was successfully produced in Australia.
    4. BINISTAR SYSTEM
      This patented method of construction produces demountable metal space structures of different shapes and dimensions, which are pneumatic-lifted from ground-level to their final self-locking position by means of an inflatable air-tight, special fabric-membrane which remains in tension, suspended from the nodal points as a final cover. Erection time: 120-180 minutes. This system was used in Italy for the 1990 World Cup Championship and in the Expo '91 of Sevilla, Spain.
    5. BINISHELTER SYSTEM
      Information about Binishelter, which provides fast, economical housing for disaster relief.

      Introduction to the BiniShelter System
      A talk presented by Dante Bini at the Province of Florence at Palazzo Medici Riccardi.

  3. Process and details of construction
    1. A 15 Minute professional documentary produced during the construction of the largest single Binishell complex in the world in Queensland (Australia). It is followed by a series of photos of several Binishell applications, including the famous Narrabeen North School Library. (This quicktime movie is 12 megabytes in size.)
    2. An 18-page Construction Manual for constructing a typical 18 meter diameter Binishell from the footing excavation to the final self-supporting reinforced concrete structure. This manual was designed and produced by Dante N Bini to instruct construction workers from the Public Works Department of New South Wales how to correctly build a Binishell of this scale. (Note: this PDF file is 23 megabytes in size.)
    3. 40 step-by-step B/W professional photos taken by Max Du Pain of Sydney (Australia) during the actual construction of the Ashbury School Library. This set of photos, together with the construction manual, contains the know-how and complete instructions necessary to build an 18 meter Binishell. (Additional information or consulting can be obtained on conditions to be negotiated). (Note: this PDF file is 14 megabytes in size.)
    4. 36-meter Binishell Construction Manual. Manual for constructing a 36 meter diameter Binishell from the footing excavation to the final self-supporting reinforced concrete structure. (Note: this PDF file is 44 megabytes in size.)
  4. Present Research and Development
    1. FOLD-A-STRUCT This method of construction produces instant, multiple, semi-permanent, demountable, square-based, classroom units, made by four identical, mass produced components provided with self-assembly energy stored inside its own components.
    2. AUTOTENT Self-shaping mini-shelter designed for civilian-military emergency, non-pneumatic, floating, suspendable tent which is dropped by low-flying aircraft. Its self-assembling process is completed during its landing phase. It includes an identification light and a survival kit.
    3. TOWER CITY Method to construct a sea-floor-based vertical, cable-braced, reinforced-concrete (or all-steel) megastructure, for large cities infrastructure, which is made (or assembled) by mobile, robotized factories. Such a system is comprised of a new method for realizing an underwater continuous footing system which produces a circular "dam" able to resist external, dynamic hydraulic seawater pressure in order to recover new land from unused shallow sea-floors. (This technique is thought to be applicable to small cities and also to prison and penitentiary construction.)
    4. LUNIT'S 1 & 2 and LUNHAB'S SERIES Method for self-shaping, self-sinking, pressurized mobile units for life-supporting lunar vehicles and fixed, self-shaping structures for life supporting habitats and/or warehouses for Lunar and Martian colonies.
    5. AIR-LIFT-UP Method for constructing multistory buildings (steel-structures and reinforced concrete) at an unprecedented construction speed, utilizing a self-erecting and auto-construction pneumatic system. Sub-license obtainable through Binistar Inc. from Shimizu Corporation (Tokyo, Japan).
    6. SOCCER STADIUMS Three new methods to build innovative covered soccer stadiums designed for the World Cup Championship.

      This preliminary conceptual proposal has been requested by Shimizu Corporation and produced by Binistar Inc.in association to C.S.P.E. for the constuction of a totally new design applicable to covered and openable soccer stadiums and multi-purpose centers.

    7. SHIMIZU'S TRY 2004 Shimizu's "The city in the Air" or "Try 2004" Concept and Binistar's preliminary conceptual construction pneumatic method proposal. This pneumatic process is partially based on the Binistar general technology and method.

      Here is a 49 Minute professional documentary, "Extreme Engineering: City in a Pyramid", produced by Powderhouse Productions for the Discovery Channel. This documentary is about the Shimuzu TRY 2004 pyramid city concept and preliminary conceptual construction pneumatic method proposal by BiniSystems. This pneumatic process is partially based on the Binistar general technology and method. (Note: this Quicktime movie is 41 megabytes in size.)

    8. NICO-SPACE Self shaping space's container developed by Dante Bini and Arch. Nicolo Bini.
    9. FUTURE VISION OF KYOTO FOR THE 21st CENTURY International Competition.
    10. DE YOUNG MUSEUM 2007 Dr. Bini's proposal for the international competition for the new de Young Museum in San Francisco.
  5. Articles and Publications
    1. Articles on Binishells and Binisystems. Various technical papers and magazine articles about Binisystems, and Dante N. Bini. (Note: this PDF file is 54 megabytes in size.)
    2. Brochures from Binishells SpA. (Note: this PDF file is 34 megabytes in size.)
    3. Brochures from Binishell Licensees. (Note: this PDF file is 18 megabytes in size.)
    4. Bibliography.
  6. Dante N. Bini
    Information about Dr. Bini.
    To contact Dr. Bini, email him at dante@binisystems.com

Copyright © 2005 Dante N Bini. All rights reserved. This web site, or any portion of it, may not be copied or published in any form without written permission.