Eindhoven University of Technology starts 3D printing concrete bicycle bridge

Spread the love

Eindhoven University of Technology has started 3D printing a concrete bicycle bridge about eight meters long on Friday. This must end up in Gemert in North Brabant. A special type of concrete mortar is used for the construction.

PhD student Rob Wolfs, who is working on the technology together with ten students, explains to the Eindhovens Dagblad that the technology is now being applied for the first time. Eight hundred layers of concrete mortar is used for this. First, a scale model of the bridge was printed, which consists of eight different parts. According to partner company BAM Infra, the bridge should be ready in September.

In this way, the production of the bridge requires less material. For example, no formwork is required, which reduces the amount of waste. In addition, the bridge is hollow. Production now takes place at a special workplace, but in the future it should also be possible to build such a bridge on location.

This should be done with a portable printer, the company explains. This should result in a shorter construction time. By using a special printing process, the concrete has the same properties as if it were poured. Once the concrete is dry, the parts are joined together.

You might also like