Shell Wall (3D concrete printing technology)

History

2023: Product Announcement

On March 20, 2023, American researchers from the University of Michigan announced the development of a new technology for 3D printing with concrete (3DCP), which can reduce wall weight by more than 70% compared to traditional structures while maintaining strength.

The 3DCP method offers a more efficient approach to building construction. However, existing systems of this type limit the architectural features of buildings to simple forms. In addition, when using 3D printing, the consumption of concrete increases, which creates an additional financial burden. The new technology, called Shell Wall, solves these problems.

Shell Wall Technologists

construction At most sites using 3DCP technology, the robotically controlled extruder nozzle moves in straight lines parallel to the ground, forming a wall frame one horizontal layer at a time. Then the hollow zones of such shapes are filled with reinforcement and concrete.

In the case of Shell Wall, the process begins with the creation of a computer design model based on the most efficient distribution of the material necessary to ensure the required strength in each part of the building. The printing nozzle then forms multilayer wall elements consisting of curved vertical structural ribs with thinner curved membranes covering the gaps between them. In this case, the concrete layers need not be located parallel to the ground. As the elements grow, sections of reinforcement are inserted into the hollow ribs, and thermal insulation is laid inside the hollow membranes.

Preliminary tests showed that compared to traditional walls of the same size built from monolithic concrete, Shell Wall elements provide a 72% weight reduction while maintaining the same structural strength. Now full-scale tests of the technology are planned on real construction sites.^[1]

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