The German Technology University of Oman (GUtech) is claimed to have set the world record for the fastest 3D printing of buildings on site – three new 173-sq-m structures in just 8 days – with the help of a construction printer from Danish group Cobod International.
The new 3D printed buildings – a coffee shop, a public toilet and a fisherman’s house – have been erected in Duqm, the Special Economic Zone of Oman, in cooperation with general contractor Teejan and Cobod.
All these structures were 3D printed using local raw materials and the Dfab Solution developed by Cemex. This allows concrete to be 3D printed at a very affordable cost with 99% of locally sourced materials.
In total, the cost of concrete for the three buildings was $3,600. All buildings have load-bearing walls without columns, roof slabs or 3D printed parapets.
Cobod says that the first 3D printed building was a first-of-its kind in the form a commercial coffeeshop with a floor surface of 81 sq m.
The building, which stands 12 ft tall, was made using 19.6 cu m of concrete produced from locally available raw materials and Cobod’s Dfab solution.
The total floor area of the public toilet was 20 sq m. It took 13 hours to print. This was split into two days. Concrete was used to make the structure, which measures 3.5m tall.
The fisherman’s house has been 3D built with a 72-sq-m floor area. GUtech specialists took only 19 hours to complete the building. The printing was divided into two days.
The house is 10 feet tall and has a single-storey structure. It was constructed using 17.3 cubic meters of concrete.
According to Teejan, the Danish 3D printing pioneer, all 3D printed buildings were created in collaboration with him as a general contractor.
Cobod says that GUtech impressed the world earlier when it 3D printed the largest building in concrete with a floor area measuring 190 square meters.
Dr. Yousuf al Bulushi from GUtech stated that 3D concrete printing has been introduced in Oman. It shows how the newest construction technology can be adopted and used so that we get the best out of it.
“We have demonstrated the potential of 3D printing with the record-breaking printing in Duqm. He noted that we have great faith in the Omani experts and are striving to exceed our expectations.
Cobod claimed that Duqm officials approved 3D printing as a construction method, and granted permits to 3D printed buildings.
“It is a proud honor to have designed the buildings that were 3D printed by GUtech, and approved in Duqm. Zaid Marmash was the chief architect responsible for the Middle East region at Cobod.
“The 3D concrete printing as well as Duqm both look very promising, and GUtech has shown that the promises are being realised,” he said.-TradeArabia News Service