Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyse the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customised advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyse the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

Exploring the Possibilities of 3D Concrete Printing: A Revolutionary Way to Build

The world of construction and architecture is undergoing a revolution with the introduction of 3D concrete printing. This new technology is allowing engineers, architects, and construction professionals to create structures more quickly, cost-effectively, and with greater precision than ever before. 3D concrete printing is a revolutionary way to build, allowing for the creation of complex shapes, intricate details, and even custom designs. With this new technology, it is possible to create structures that were previously impossible to construct. Furthermore, 3D concrete printing is an environmentally-friendly building technology, as it requires fewer resources, produces less waste, and can reduce the construction

3D Printed House project

3D Printed House projectA consortium of academics, architects, technologists, and building systems innovators including Simpson Strong-Tie has set out to build the first multi-story structure in the United States using 3D concrete printing.  When complete, the 4,000-sq.ft. project in Houston, Texas, will showcase the possibilities of 3D printing technology when used in conjunction with customization and design solutions that integrate conventional construction methods. 

The culmination of a two-year collaborative effort between boundary-pushing design researchers and construction industry partners, the project is spearheaded by architectural designers Leslie Lok and Sasa Zivkovic, who are principals of HANNAH, an Ithaca, New York based architectural firm.  In addition to Simpson Strong-Tie, project partners also include PERI 3D Construction, CIVE, a Houston, Texas based design/built contractor and other industry partners such as Quikrete, and Huntsman Building Products. 

Ariel view of the 3D printed house
Ariel view of the 3D printed house

The 4,000-square-foot project will be constructed with a hybridized method that combines concrete 3D printing with wood framing.  Using a modular COBOD BOD2 gantry printer, the project will bring together concrete 3D printing with wood framing as a proof-of-concept to increase the applicability of 3D printing in the United States. This approach allows the two material systems to be used strategically and aims to increase the applicability of 3D printing in the U.S., where framing is the one of the most common construction techniques. According to the project team, the scalable design and construction process is applicable for single family, multifamily, and mixed-use construction.  

Simpson Strong-Tie Set 3G used for a 3D printed house build
Simpson Strong-Tie Set 3G used for a 3D printed house build

Simpson Strong-Tie is a member of ACI 564 Committee on 3-D Printing with Cementitious Materials and actively involved in developing this new technology. Project Team chose Simpson Strong-Tie’s SET-3G product for cold joints and doweling.  Additional Simpson product such as joist hangers, wood to wood fasteners and Titen Turbo concrete screws will be used at later stages of the projects. 

SET 3G Application on the 3D printed house project
SET 3G Application on the 3D printed house project

Given that wood framing is the standard for residential housing, there is a lot to be discovered about how this technology can benefit homeowners, builders, and developers.  By participating into this project with other industry players, Simpson Strong-Tie aims to learn more about this technology and bring new products to the market.  We know the final structure will be just as strong as a regular wood-framed or concrete home, but our research and development teams are staying busy on the jobsite to identify how traditional building systems can work with 3D-printed concrete elements in order to serve this type of construction. 

Share

Stay Connected

Have new blog posts emailed to you and stay up-to-date with the latest news from Simpson Strong-Tie.

Keep Reading