CONPrint3D: 3D-Concrete-Printing as an Alternative for Masonry

Implementation of 3D-Printing in construction practice is being researched currently around the world with objectives of increasing productivity and resource efficiency. Since 2014 an interdisciplinary team of researchers at the TU Dresden has been developing an autonomous formwork free onsite construction process: CONPrint3D (Concrete ON-site 3D-Printing). In which, a quick setting concrete is extruded with geometric precision through a print head. Concrete construction elements are thus produced layer-by layer. A modified truck mounted concrete pump is the machine basis and serves as large-scale robotic arm (Figure 1). All the control data is generated automatically through a Building information model. CONPrint3D has the unique selling point of making concrete 3D-printing technology scientific, secure and economically viable. The construction directly on the site, application of commonly used concretes with maximum aggregates size up to 16 mm, production of massive (as opposed to hallow) structures as alternative to masonry walls and usage of established construction machines clearly distinguishes CONPrint3D from other research activities worldwide. In long-term development, CONPrint3D provides solution for 3D-printing of reinforced concrete structures. This innovative construction process has significant saving potentials with regard to construction.costs and execution times. Evaluations showed round about 25 % cost reduction and four to six times reduced execution time in comparison with traditional masonry. In the completed research project, the feasibility of CONPrint3D is proven from machine, material and management perspectives. For their innovative research, the team of TU Dresden received the international baumaInnovationspreis in April 2016 under the category research.