Communications of the ACM
3D Concrete-Printing Robots Cut Rail Construction Carbon Emissions by 50%
"The HS2 project is creating an ideal environment to develop technologies with the potential to transform how major infrastructure is built.
Britain's new high-speed rail network, HS2, will employ robotic, 3D-reinforced concrete printing to expedite assembly and cut carbon emissions. Printfrastructure technology, engineered by the HS2's London tunnels contractor, SCS JV, allows remotely controlled robots to 3D-print structures onsite and in tight spaces, without suspending services to keep human workers safe.
SCS JV's partner, 3D mortar-printing company ChangeMaker 3D, reinforced the concrete with microscopic graphene strands that replace steel rods. The concrete structures are printed with a strengthening internal lattice pattern that cuts the volume of material required, yielding less waste. SCS JV said this process could potentially cut carbon emissions for rail construction by up to 50%.
From HS2
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Abstracts Copyright © 2021 SmithBucklin, Washington, DC, USA
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