3D printed concrete wastewater chamber marks success for ‘printfrastructure’
United Utilities and ChangeMaker3D have achieved a UK first by building a concrete wastewater chamber using 3D printing.
Over 12-months, ChangeMaker3D worked with United Utilities to design, 3D-print and install a wastewater chamber at one of the utility company’s test facilities in Cheshire. With testing complete, the partners said it proves the potential of so-called ‘printfrastructure’, where 3D printing is used in construction.
According to the partners, ‘printfrastructure’ can deliver a 25 per cent reduction in carbon, 20 per cent in cost savings and a 55 per cent reduction in labour versus traditional methods.
In a statement, Lisa Mansell, United Utilities’ chief engineer (Innovation), said: “We have a huge capital programme to deliver under tight deadlines. Digital technologies such as 3D construction printing can drive efficient construction and help us meet our Net Zero goals for carbon.”
The chamber was printed in under four hours with a ‘significant reduction’ in the materials used. The printing process for the water chamber also demonstrated safety benefits by reducing the requirement to work at height or in confined spaces.
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