This audio is automatically generated. Please let us know if you have any comments.
Dive Brief:
- Researchers at the University of Nevada in Reno are experimenting with a process to help the US military 3D print structuresincluding bridges and buildings, in active combat zones, according to a Dec. 3 news release from the university.
- The team’s program, which began in early 2024, involves testing bridge infrastructure assembled from 3-foot-long, Lego-like, printed concrete modules, according to the release.
- Most experiments with 3D printed materials are done by trial and error, according to the school. Instead, the research team numerically simulated the bridge, a computational technique for analyzing real-world systems using mathematical models or calculations run on a computer, in addition to physically testing the structure.
Diving knowledge:
The ultimate goal of the project is to provide the Army with a solid technical foundation on how to print and assemble structures in the field, including in combat zones where other resources may not be available, according to Assistant Professor Floriana Petrone, who leads the the study .
Modular bridges they have long been a viable solution for quick fixes in the wake of natural disasters, such as hurricanes. But these components usually have to be shipped somewhere. The advantage of the university’s approach is that it would allow teams to quickly print sections on site.
The university’s approach uses L- and T-shaped printed components that connect to each other with cables and do not require specialized equipment, the release said. Segments could theoretically be disassembled into their component parts when they are no longer needed. Once this happens, the bricks can be reassembled in new configurations.
“Everything could be manually assembled on site,” Petrone said in the statement.
The team tested seven concrete segments joined with a post-tensioned cable running through the center of the components, which held an increasing load. The narrow section of the bridge supported up to 7,000 pounds, according to the release.
The project is unique in its combination of 3D printing, segmented construction and advanced numerical simulation, according to the university. Together, these aspects provide a foundation for building what they call scalable and reliable structures.
“The integration of numerical modeling with 3D printing and segmented construction provides a powerful tool for predicting structural performance before construction begins,” Sherif Elfass, associate research professor and team member, said in the release. “This allows engineers to optimize segment placement and printed component design, ensuring that printed structures meet the required strength and durability requirements under a variety of conditions.”
The researchers collaborated with the Construction Engineering Research Laboratory of the US Army Engineer Research and Development Center and received support from the US Department of Defense, according to the article. The project is funded until June 2025.
