The structure

The concrete bridge was 3D printed in several parts (eight one-meter sections) using a special concrete mortar, and was then put together on-site. The eight sections were placed between two bridge heads and secured using heavy-duty cables. The first-of-its-kind structure must meet strict safety requirements, so it was tested for safety to bear loads of up to two tonnes.

Environment-friendly construction

Another positive outcome of this technique is that much less concrete is needed to 3D print such structures instead of building them in traditional ways, because the printer deposits the concrete only where it is needed. This means that fewer scarce resources are needed and significantly less waste is produced, leading to a reduction of CO₂ emissions. “We are looking to the future,” said Marinus Schimmel, head of BAM, adding that the company is constantly “searching for a newer, smarter approach to addressing infrastructure issues and making a significant contribution to improving the mobility and sustainability of our society.”

Other 3D-printed bridges

The bridge in Gemert however, is not the first 3D-printed concrete bridge that was unveiled, as thecity of Alcobendas in Spain actually inaugurated its own 3D printed concrete pedestrian bridge in 2016. The Spanish structure has a total length of 12 meters and a width of 1.75 meters and was printed in micro-reinforced concrete.

MX3D, another Dutch start-up, has also started the 3D-printing of bridges  from stainless steel. The company has already constructed the 1/3 of such a bridge, which is expected to be ready by March 2018 and placed over a canal in Amsterdam before next June. 

Source: 3Ders.org

The Gemert 3D printed bridge during construction

 Photo source: 3Ders.org