News

The future of bridges Naeem Hussein, global leader for bridge design at Arup, discusses the art and future of this iconic branch of civil engineering. Since the 1990’s there has been considerable development in the design and construction of bridges ranging from boutique footbridges to long span bridges and large sea-crossings. Widespread use of computers and involvement of architects has improved both the engineering quality and aesthetic appeal of bridges. In many parts of the world waterways whether wide rivers, bays and estuaries have meant large detours and/or use of ferries thus severely hindering the movement of people and goods...

Engineers to mimic the human spine in construction of resilient bridge pier A durable, low-maintenance and low-carbon bridge pier inspired by the anatomy of the human spine is being developed in the UK. The bridge pier, which could be built in just one or two days and easily demounted at the end of its useful life, is being developed by researchers at Southampton University with funding from EPSRC. In use, it will be designed to withstand earthquakes and damage caused by traffic and cold weather. Existing bridges, particularly those in colder countries such as the UK, US, Canada and Japan,...

Ditch ground floors to protect buildings from tsunamis, study suggests Research carried out at the École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) has suggested that sacrificing the ground floors of buildings may be the best way to protect them from tsunamis. PhD student Davide Wüthrich conducted a number of experiments using the Swiss university’s Laboratory of Hydraulic Constructions (LCH). A small metal box with numerous openings was used to simulate a building with multiple windows and doors. The box was placed in a 15.5m canal that could replicate tsunamis and storm surges. Wüthrich carried out over 350 different experiments in the test...

US firm builds 3D printed house in less than a day US construction technologies firm Icon has demonstrated a method for 3D printing a single storey house in less than 24 hours. The small company – which is hoping to pioneer the use of 3D printing for homebuilding – has unveiled a 650 square foot home in Austin, Texas that was built using its Vulcan 3D printer, which builds structures by depositing layers of specially formulated cement. The firm claims that it can print an entire home for $10,000 but that costs could ultimately be brought as low $4000. It...

Europe’s first 3D printed house Named 3D Housing 05 the prototype one-storey house – which will be showcased at Milan’s design festival, Salone del Mobile in April 2018 – has a living area, bedroom, kitchen and bathroom and covers an area of 100 square meters. It has been designed to be disassembled and relocated and is currently being printed on site, in Milan’s central square, Piazza Cesare Beccaria. The structure is being built using a mobile 3D printing robot supplied by Netherlands firm Cybe Construction. This uses concrete to print the walls; the roof, windows and doors. Italcementi, one of...