Heijmans test 3D printed concrete

The new technique is up to 50 percent cheaper than the conventional ones

In the Netherlands, Heijmans and Cybe Construction conducted a successful test with 3D printed concrete, reports Duurzaam Bedrijfsleven.

Heijmans expects to obtain organic forms with similar quality at lower costs, by 3D printing concrete formwork or even manufacturing the entire structure

"We aim to print a double curved concrete formwork that we fill with concrete and apply it to a bridge or an overpass," said Jurre van der Ven, innovation manager at Heijmans. "If one element is strong enough for such a heavy construction, it can also be developed for use in housing. The tests we carried out now are successful," he added. 

After testing the first casing element, it appears that the quality of the concrete is greater than previously calculated, reports Cybe Construction. The company says that this innovating technique will improve the construction sector, leading tofaster, cheaper and higher quality buildings. The technique is expected to be adopted by Heijmans and Cybe Construction in 2017, when it will pass from printed form element into a construction project.