Architects used 3D printing technology to build a concrete bridge in Venice

2024-03-12

Researchers around the world use 3D printing technology to create a variety of products. Usually, we believe that 3D printing is used for small plastic items, such as parts of cars and small components of other prototype devices. However, engineers are researching and using 3D printing technology to build larger structures in the construction industry. Researchers from the Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich recently collaborated with engineers from Block Research Group and Zaha Hadid Architects, as well as other partners, to build an interesting 3D printed concrete bridge in Venice.

A more interesting aspect of this 3D printed concrete bridge is that there are no steel bars inside. The team stated that millions of new buildings around the world are constructed using reinforced concrete, despite generating significant carbon dioxide emissions.

As we all know, steel and cement used for reinforcement are one of the major sources of carbon dioxide pollution in the world. The 3D printed bridge project demonstrates how to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from cement and steel production in a real-world project. This project is a 12 by 16 meter arched pedestrian bridge placed in a park in Venice, completely without the use of steel bars.

This bridge is called Striatus and is manufactured using an additive process, characterized by using concrete blocks to construct an arch similar to traditional brick and stone bridges. This pure compression structure allows force to be transmitted to the foundation, which is then tied together with the bridge body. Researchers point out that due to its geometric shape alone, a dry assembled structure can achieve stability.

3D printed concrete is a new type developed by researchers with the help of a company called Incremental3D. Materials are not applied horizontally like traditional concrete buildings, but at specific angles, so they are orthogonal to the flow of compressive force. This mode allows the printing layers in the block to be pressed together without the need for reinforcement or post tension. In addition, the structure does not require mortar and allows for easy removal of blocks, allowing the bridge to be reassembled in different places. If the bridge is no longer needed, the materials can also be separated and recycled.

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