3D Concrete Printing 2

[ALK2415]

Are you in favor of the "inevitable" 3D printing technology
since earth resources will diminished sooner than we thought
Any research on Cold/Hot climate construction applications ???
Note; check below some great engineers in this field (WASP & Birds)

 

[driftLimiter]

There are so many considerations. The thing on my mind when I look at this is scale. We are a long way off from making an substantial vertical structure with 3d printers. And I think land use is going to the opposite direction. Seems to be more efficient to build up than out in most places. I don't think we need to latch on to technology for technology sake but in areas where this type of living arrangement is feasible, I think the 3d printer can offer advantages especially in the labor.

 

[Brad805]

This is a very interesting application. Making forms with a 3D printer makes some sense.

 

[MotorCity]

I see the savings in labor, but how does 3D printing conserve natural resources? Seems to me that 3D printed or not, the concrete uses more or less the same ingredients and proportions (maybe a little less water to achieve a stiffer mix).

Gotta disagree with Driftlimiter on land use. I don't have any percentages to share, but I'd venture to say that most land area in the US is either uninhabited or sparsely inhabited. Get in the car and drive an hour or less from most major cities and you find large areas of nothing. Most manufacturing and industrial companies have recognized this for years. They build a plant in the middle of no where because land is cheap and then a community develops around the plant. If you build it, they will come.

 

[epoxybot]

There isn't enough fine aggregate for 3D concrete to become economically viable.

 

[ALK2415]

I expect that many livings conditions, soon or later will be change, especially in remote area due to drought and limited energy access
So, the obvious solution is using more energy efficient houses (using mostly clay/lime/cement/sand with timber fibers) which will be more easily built through wet-mix (3D Printing) or some kind of shotcrete above plastic fabric.

-also, its prefect for off-shore house construction on site (due to sea level rising), where single ship could produce whole living complex on-sea

-In my opinion, Drought, Energy prices, Climate changes, sea rise, limited building resources, will push us eventually to produce more sustainable houses (using on-site materials) with only laced-tripod structure and deiseal generator [run by computed - predefined layout]