Working with business
3D concrete printing
- Revolutionising the construction industry
As modern architecture makes ever greater demands on construction specialists, meeting these developments creatively and cost effectively poses a range of testing challenges.
Funded by the EPSRC and IMCRC, researchers in the have been developing 3D printing technology for the construction industry for almost a decade.
The team have developed computer controlled 3D printers that precisely deposit successive layers of high-performance concrete to form complex structural components – such as curved cladding panels and architectural features – that cannot be manufactured by conventional processes.
The technique also facilitates the inclusion of increasingly complex building services infrastructure from the outset instead of time-consuming and costly on-site retrofitting.
In November 2014, the team embarked on an 18-month development programme with global project development and construction group – – to create the world’s first commercial concrete printing robot – and, ultimately, revolutionise the construction industry.
Key features
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ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY
The 3D printing process facilitates the manufacture of complex structural components that cannot be produced by conventional processes.
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18-MONTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
In November 2014, the University signed a collaboration agreement with Skanska to develop the use of 3D printing in construction.