Volt-Age’s Post

Researchers at the University of New Mexico have developed a 3D-printable, ultra-ductile concrete—offering 11.9% more flexibility than traditional mixes. This innovation could mean stronger, more resilient infrastructure that better withstands natural disasters while reducing long-term maintenance costs. For structural engineers, this could revolutionize seismic design, bridge construction, and sustainable building practices. Is this the future of concrete? Read more: https://lnkd.in/dYiQhvk8

Australia’s ageing infrastructure faces mounting challenges, but innovation is paving the way for resilience. At the University of South Australia, Professor Yan Zhuge is advancing building material testing with a $720,000 next-generation biaxial Hopkinson bar, designed to assess materials under extreme stress. Zhuge is also leading research into 3D printing reinforced concrete, aiming to enhance sustainability and efficiency in construction. Read the full story: https://lnkd.in/gPA3yzk5 #construction #constructionindustry #infrastructure #buildingmaterials #constructionresearch #buildingresearch #innovation

Instead of building houses, concrete #3Dprinting company Sperra is focused on constructing critical energy infrastructure, and has secured two significant contracts that will expand its operations in this area. Joris Peels has the details.

Instead of building houses, concrete #3Dprinting company Sperra is focused on constructing critical energy infrastructure, and has secured two significant contracts that will expand its operations in this area. Joris Peels has the details.

🚀 Engineering the Future: Innovations and Breakthroughs in Construction 🏗️ Exciting times are ahead in the construction industry with groundbreaking innovations reshaping our world. From 3D printing to smart materials, these advancements are revolutionizing how we build and live. Here are some key highlights: 3D Printing: 🖨️ Transforming construction with custom, on-demand building components. Smart Materials: 🧱 Enhancing durability and efficiency with self-healing concrete and more. Modular Construction: 🏘️ Speeding up projects and reducing waste with pre-fabricated modules. Robotics: 🤖 Boosting precision and safety on construction sites. Sustainable Practices: 🌱 Leading the way in eco-friendly building solutions. Curious about how these innovations are changing the landscape of construction? Check out our latest article for in-depth insights! 🌟 Read More https://lnkd.in/eBdHdwQA 💬 What's the most exciting innovation you've seen in construction recently? Share your thoughts in the comments! 👇 #Construction #Engineering #Innovation #3DPrinting #SmartMaterials #SustainableBuilding"

London-based Balfour Beatty plc has entered an agreement with British advanced materials engineering firm Versarien® Technologies Ltd to develop a range of low-carbon, graphene-infused, 3D-printable mortars, Versarien announced in an Oct. 1 news release. Balfour Beatty and Versarien are developing the mortars for use in civil construction, per the release.  The two companies will test the materials’ usage in real-world applications via Balfour Beatty’s Highways business, according to the release. The research team will measure the materials’ performance, durability and cost-effectiveness compared to traditional construction materials.   Construction Spending – United States – August 2024 - https://lnkd.in/gahV7WDJ PCL, HammerTech sign multiyear safety tech agreement - https://lnkd.in/gVPSwdfZ

NEWS: University of Maine Breaks Ground on Green Engineering and Materials Building -- The University of Maine broke ground in October of 2024 on the $81 million Green Engineering and Materials (GEM) building in Orono. Designed by SMRT Architects & Engineers and Grimshaw Architects, the 50,000-sf project will house the Factory of the Future, a test bed for large-format additive manufacturing. Academic spaces for the Maine College of Engineering and Computing will be collocated with active research environments, offering unique opportunities for immersive learning. An expansive atrium known as the GEM Gateway will provide communal settings where visitors and large groups can gather. A multipurpose room that overlooks the 3D printing area will encourage faculty-student collaborations, as well as serving as a venue for presentations, lectures, and group and individual study. Two large manufacturing bays will enable the creation of bio-based housing solutions, marine vessels, and components for civil infrastructure and renewable energy. Supported by government and industry partnerships, the transformative development will also accommodate training initiatives to equip the manufacturing workforce of tomorrow with new competencies. Built with mass timber, the flexible facility will incorporate advanced systems to meet the requirements of sensitive instrumentation, while remaining adaptable to future technological advancements. The project is being delivered by Consigli Construction Co., Inc., and Thornton Tomasetti is providing engineering services. Completion is expected in 2026. https://lnkd.in/eHZYCxva #HigherEducation #Manufacturing #LaboratoryRandD #Engineering #EducationClassroom #Atrium #Sustainability

Oakland-based additive construction (AC) company Mighty Buildings, which specialized in making zero-net-energy prefabs, is up for sale. This announcement comes amid what looks like a broader restructuring in the #3Dprinted construction sector. Matt Kremenetsky reports.

Why has technology not transformed traditional building methods? Interesting BBC News article on why new technologies have not been employed by the construction industry: https://lnkd.in/ebjEaKe5 #construction #buildingmethods

Lazy work here from the BBC. After the many great conferences I've been to, as well as speaking to many many clients, consultants and contractors, there is a real push to use emerging technologies in the ground to get our foundations more efficient. For a generation there has been an industry wide addiction to uneccesary piled foundations, VSCs, CMCs and mass fill, driven by poor or inadequate GI, a hideous PI market, a general brain drain in the industry and, occasionally, downright laziness to provide proper geotechnical recommendations. I, for one, will continue to push for more measurement, calculation and innovation to help the industry make a greater effort to get this over dependence on concrete and "hard engineering". We need to start fitting our buildings to the ground as opposed to fitting the ground to our buildings. A skill the Romans, Persians, Moguls and Victorians had, but we seem to have lost. Diatribe over.... Back to work... https://lnkd.in/e3SKkz4j