Created by the Institute ofAdvance Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC) the world’s first 3D printed pedestrian bridge is 12 metres long and 1.75 metres wide, and spans a body of water in Castilla-La Mancha Park in Alcobendas, Madrid, Spain. The bridge is made up of eight parts, each made of concrete powder micro-reinforced with thermoplastic polypropylene. “This is an evolutionary technique which involves depositing layers of material one sheet on another. Instead of using ink like a normal printer, we were depositing layers of material one sheet on another. Instead of using ink like a normal printer, we were depositing construction material, “said the IAAC team.
The institute stated in a press release that the parametric design allowed for the optimal distribution of the material and minimized the amount of waste by recycling the raw material during production. The design also allowed for maximum structural performance. The material is used only where it is needed, with complete freedom in terms of form, maintaining its porosity thanks to the application of generative algorithms and challenging the traditional techniques of construction.
Picture Credit : Google