China Inaugurates 3D-Printed Concrete Bridge

Image: People's Daily

TIANJIN (Xinhua) — A 3D-printed concrete bridge modeled on a 1,400-year-old stone arch bridge has been unveiled in northern China’s Tianjin Municipality.

Around half the size of the Zhaozhou Bridge, the world’s oldest open-spandrel segmental stone arch bridge, the 3D-printed structure was created by a research team led by Professor Ma Guowei from the Hebei University of Technology.

The new bridge, around 28.1 meters long, was formed by 3D-printed concrete and was installed on the university’s campus.

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The Zhaozhou Bridge, also known as Anji Bridge, stands over the Xiaohe River in Zhaoxian County, northern China’s Hebei Province. It was built in the Sui Dynasty (581-618).

“We used special concrete materials and a self-developed 3D printing device. Compared with traditional engineering, 3D concrete printing technology can save around one-third of construction materials and two thirds of human labor,” Ma said.

He said the technology can also be applied in ancient building protection and restoration.