3D Printing in Construction: Pioneering Research for the Construction of the Future Conference with visionaries of digital construction and 3D-printed demonstrators at full scale

Instead of building brick by brick by hand, a robot is 3D printing layer by layer. This could be the future of construction. The first buildings are already standing in Germany, and the largest printed building in Europe was recently completed in Heidelberg. In the Collaborative Research Centre TRR 277 “Additive Manufacturing in Construction” (AMC), scientists from Technische Universität Braunschweig and the Technical University of Munich are researching new 3D printing processes to make the construction of the future more resource-efficient, low-emission and cost-effective. The AMC will now present its research results from 9 to 11 October. The keynote speaker will be Leibniz Prize winner Professor Achim Menges, spokesman for the IntCDC (Digital Technologies for Design and Construction of the Future) excellence cluster at the University of Stuttgart.

The Collaborative Research Centre “Additive Manufacturing in Construction” at Technische Universität Braunschweig and TU Munich focuses on the digitalisation of construction – with the aim of combining the requirements of economy and ecology through 3D printing technologies. With the help of digital processes, building materials can be used more efficiently and significantly less of them can be consumed. Through digitally controlled design and layering, material is applied only where it is structurally needed, without the need for moulds or other aids. The result is shape-optimised components that can significantly reduce resource consumption and CO₂ emissions. Additive manufacturing also offers new design freedom in architecture.

Paradigm shift in the construction industry

“Our research at the AMC represents a paradigm shift in the construction industry, where we can use 3D printing technologies to push the boundaries of environmentally friendly and economical construction,” emphasises Professor Harald Kloft, spokesperson for the Collaborative Research Centre. And Professor Kathrin Dörfler, co-spokesperson from TU Munich, adds: “We believe that additive manufacturing technology is not only changing the way we build, but is also in line with the sustainable and social aspirations of the modern construction industry. This conference is a platform to learn, collaborate and drive change.”

The conference in the Main Lecture Hall of TU Braunschweig gives an overview of all research areas of the AMC: materials and processes, computational modelling and control, design and construction.

Three scientists who are among the visionaries of digital building fabrication have been invited to give keynote speeches: Dr. Ana Anton and Professor Benjamin Dillenburger from ETH Zurich, as well as Professor Achim Menges, spokesperson of the Cluster of Excellence IntCDC at the University of Stuttgart and winner of the Leibniz Prize 2023 for his outstanding work in architecture.

In their lecture “From Additive Manufacturing to Architecture”, Professor Helga Blocksdorf and Professor Norman Hack (both TU Braunschweig) will shed light on the teaching of 3D printing technologies and how architecture can use them for completely new design possibilities. Afterwards, some 3D-printed building objects, so-called collaborative demonstrators, will be presented.

Lab Tour to the 3D Concrete Printer

In addition to the discussions, participants will have the opportunity to visit 1:1 scale demonstrators to experience first-hand the advances made possible by 3D printing technology.

Finally, the AMC conference leaves the presentation rooms in the Main Lecture Hall and goes on a Lab Tour: Participants can visit the “Digital Construction Site”, the “Digital Building Fabrication Laboratory”, the large 3D concrete printer, and the mobile robot at the Institute of Building Materials, Concrete Construction and Fire Safety (iBMB) at TU Braunschweig.

Registration

Participation in the conference is possible in person or online and is free of charge. Please register at the following link: https://amc-trr277.de/amc-conference/

Programme: https://amc-trr277.de/amc-conference/

About the Collaborative Research Centre AMC:

The DFG-funded Collaborative Research Centre TRR 277 Additive Manufacturing in Construction (AMC) of TU Braunschweig and TU Munich aims to play a significant role in shaping the transformation of the construction industry into a digital and sustainable future. The focus is on the use of 3D printing technology (additive manufacturing) to develop resource-saving, low-emission and economical construction methods. Complex research questions on materials, process engineering, digital process control, modelling, design and construction are holistically investigated by scientists from the fields of civil engineering and mechanical engineering.

Further information: www.amc-trr277.de