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Hyderabad, 19 June 2024: A 3D printed bridge has beendeployed on the campus of IIT Hyderabad (IITH). The conceptand design were developed and evaluated by Prof. K.V.L.Subramaniam and his research group, Department of CivilEngineering, IIT Hyderabad. The bridge was off-site printed by Simpliforge Creations, a startup company specializing inproviding 3D concrete printing solutions. Designed as apedestrian bridge, a full-scale 7.50 m bridge was field deployedafter load testing a smaller prototype bridge. The bridge has been designed broadly following form optimization to minimizethe use of concrete and reinforcement. The concept of thebridge was developed broadly following ‘Material follows Force’and the reinforcement/shape have been determined from stress analysis. Several advances in material processing, and designmethodology are highlighted in the bridge design. The materialdeveloped by Simpliforge Creations was tested and validated forthe required rheological performance. 3D concrete printing is anemerging technology that offers the potential for rapid and efficient construction. The technology for digital construction promises added flexibility in printed forms and efficient structural systems. The prototype bridge serves as a technology demonstrator for 3D concrete printing in developing light-weight, rapidly deployable bridges and structures that are formoptimized for specific applications.
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Complimenting Prof K.V.L. Subramaniam & his team on thedevelopment, Prof B S Murty, Director, IITH, said, “Technologyenabled solutions for rapid and efficient construction is theneed for meeting the infrastructure requirement of India. Developing indigenous capability for efficient construction withincorporation of digital technology is a creditable stridetowards realizing our dream of Aatma Nirbhar Bharat. I am suresuch innovations will not only benefit local development interms of economic & efficient infrastructure but also extend its advantage to the infrastructure sector globally.”
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Enlisting the uniqueness of the 3D Printing technology, Prof K.V.L. Subramaniam, IITH, said, “The 3D printing technology has the potential for transforming the construction industry. Technology application in this space requires innovativesolutions that require advancements in material processing,design methodologies and production procedures that arealigned with established principles of additive manufacturing”.
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Prof. K.V.L. Subramaniam and his group have worked extensively on developing 3D printing technology for building and infrastructure applications. IITH is actively working with Simpliforge creations at developing applications using 3Dconcrete printing technology.
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