Three Gorges University Debuts Large-Scale (15m Class) Concrete 3D Printer
"As long as there are architectural drawings, the ideal house can be printed at will through the concrete 3D printerbased on digital architectural design methods and robotic self-control systems." Dr. Yangbo Li, associate professor and master's supervisor of the School of Water Resources and Environment of Three Gorges University, leads a team to present the latest research and development results to the public at the debut ceremony of the large-scale (15-meter class) concrete 3D printer at Three Gorges University on Oct. 25, 2022.
On the morning of the same day, at the 3D printing test base of the College of Water Resources and Environment of Three Gorges University, the leaders of Yichang URA and Three Gorges University jointly turned on the large concrete 3D printer, marking the success of the 15-meter large concrete 3D printer.
Li Yangbo's team from the College of Water Resources and Environment of Three Gorges University is using concrete 3D printing technology to build two small buildings with a design height of 2.5 meters. Photo by Lin Xiao, Three Gorges Daily
Concrete 3D printing technology is an innovative housing construction technology that integrates computer graphics, mechanical parts design and production, assembly process, automation control, precision CNC, concrete materials, fluid mechanics and other interdisciplinary technologies. The advantage of this technology is that it has the advantages of high efficiency, formwork-free, labor-saving, material-saving, low carbon and environmental protection, etc. It is not only suitable for the traditional house shape design and construction, but also can realize the construction of various beautiful irregular curved shapes.
It is understood that the 3D printing research team of Three Gorges University led by Dr. Li Yangbo developed this set of "large concrete building 3D printer", the printing range of 15m x 15m x 10m, printing size and span and other technical parameters are currently the leading level in China.
This "printer" is 17 meters long, 17 meters wide, 12 meters high, the rack on the movable large nozzle, after the machine is turned on like a cream laminated layers, according to the direction of the wall spray "print", accurate and fast flat. According to Li Yangbo introduction, a 200 square meters of the following 3-story house or villa traditional construction period in about a month, through the concrete 3D printer only half a month to complete the construction time.
"At the present stage, it can serve for rural revitalization and new rural construction, and in the future, the technology is expected to be applied in the field of infrastructure construction such as buildings and dams, and to promote the field of intelligent construction of hydropower." Li Weiming, vice dean of College of Water Resources and Environment of Three Gorges University, said that this research is an active practice in response to the national "double carbon" strategy and rural revitalization, as well as a vivid practice of writing papers on the earth. In the next step, the college will continue to make full use of its disciplinary advantages to increase the research and development of related technologies, enhance the research level of Three Gorges University in this field, and promote the application of 3D printing technology in the water conservancy industry.
