Project Info

sgwb-3d-print

Why 3D Concrete Printing?

Concrete has been the most used building material in the world for decades. Everyone is familiar with it, knows what it looks like, where it is used. This is now changing. Experiments have recently started with the 3D printing of concrete. At first glance this seems surprising, the finesse that comes with printing does not fit with the plump character of concrete. Nevertheless, 3D-printed concrete has all kinds of assets that it needs for a great future.

One of those advantages is that the concrete printer has the ability to lay concrete only where it is needed constructively. Traditionally poured concrete is solid, and contains much more concrete than is needed constructively. More is being used, which is bad for CO2 emissions, because with producing cement a lot of this greenhouse gas is released.

Another advantage is freedom of form. With 3D concrete printing, very fine concrete structures are possible. In the traditional pouring of concrete, the formwork determines the shape of concrete. With concrete prints, builders will soon be able to make concrete details as small as a pea, and round, hollow or convex shapes. This makes concrete buildings and constructions with completely new forms possible.

Another new option is the printing of different types, qualities and colors of concrete, all in one integrated product. This means that a complete wall can be printed with all necessary functionalities. Such a wall has to be reinforced with fibers of wire that insulate, and on the outside must be kept dirt-repellent, and on the inside a layer that ensures pleasant acoustics. Further, it contains the required recesses and internal drainage pipes of waterproof concrete. This makes the construction process much faster.

Another advantage is the possibility to process individual wishes per individual customer. After all, a different version entails few costs.

The 3D printing of concrete creates the possibility to put sensors directly in the right place of the construction. Think of wireless sensors that measure temperature, sensor-controlled lighting, or that are used for security. These can be incorporated directly into the printing process, instead of afterwards. That saves time and money.

Concrete printing also has advantages for professionals. Traditional processing of concrete is heavy and demanding work. The vibrations of poured concrete and the braiding of the steel reinforcement nets is heavy. These activities are not necessary for 3D-printed concrete.

Project info

  • Project Milestone

    In the city of Eindhoven (The Netherlands) five 3D-printed concrete houses will be built. The project is the world’s first commercial housing project based on 3D-concrete printing. The houses will all be occupied, they will meet all modern comfort requirements, and they will be purchased and let out by a real estate company.

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  • What are we printing?

    Five houses will be built consecutively, so every time innovations and all lessons learnt can be applied in the next house.

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  • Why 3D Concrete Printing?

    Concrete has been the most used building material in the world for decades. Everyone is familiar with it, knows what it looks like, where it is used. This is now changing. Experiments have recently started with the 3D printing of concrete. At first glance this seems surprising, the finesse that comes with printing does not fit with the plump character of concrete. Nevertheless, 3D-printed...

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  • Innovation

    The first aim of the project is to build five great houses that are comfortable to live in and will have happy occupants. But behind that there is the ambition to boost 3D concrete printing science and technology such that printed housing, with all it's advantages, will soon be a reality that is widely adopted.

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  • Where are we printing?

    The 3D printed house is planned to be in Bosrijk. Bosrijk is a new residential location in Eindhoven. The development of Bosrijk has high ambitions when it comes to sustainability and spatial and architectural quality. Bosrijk is the first location in Eindhoven that is not connected to the natural gas grid.

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