Innovative 3D printed bridge erected in China

A highly innovative 3D printed bridge made from resin and composite materials has been erected in China. The bridge has benefited from 3D printing technology developed by the Shanghai Construction Group (Shanghai Construction). The structure is just over 15m long and has been erected in Taopu Park in Shanghai. Although this is a small pedestrian bridge, its construction provides an effective trial for the 3D printing process. The bridge has an estimated working life of 30 years and is said to be weather and
December 4, 2018 Read time: 2 mins

A highly innovative 3D printed bridge made from resin and composite materials has been erected in China. The bridge has benefited from 3D printing technology developed by the Shanghai Construction Group (Shanghai Construction). The structure is just over 15m long and has been erected in Taopu Park in Shanghai. Although this is a small pedestrian bridge, its construction provides an effective trial for the 3D printing process. The bridge has an estimated working life of 30 years and is said to be weather and climate resistant. Should this bridge prove a success, it could pave the way for the manufacture of other bridges for use by pedestrians and cyclists. Allowing pedestrian/cyclist bridges to be manufactured using 3D printing techniques would cut both costs and installation times. This would allow new pedestrian/cyclist bridges to be erected more speedily over highways, while reducing the potential delays for road users. Whether larger bridges could be built simply by using 3D printing techniques may not be
feasible, however key components could be made using this technology.

Materials

Related Content

  • Recycling asphalt provides green result
    September 30, 2013
    A survey carried out jointly by the National Asphalt Paving Association (NAPA) and the Federal Highway Association (FHWA) shows that asphalt recycling and energy-saving technologies are in increasing use in the US The increasing adoption of new construction practices in the asphalt pavement industry has saved more than US$2.2 billion during the 2011 paving season through the use of recycled materials and energy-saving warm-mix technologies. According to a survey conducted by the National Asphalt Pavem
    Read More
  • Philipp Swarovski lays down the marker
    June 10, 2019
    Swarco’s chief operating officer Philipp Swarovski shares his thoughts on highway safety and infrastructure in an age of uncertain future needs. David Arminas reports It was in Austria in 1969 when Manfred Swarovski opened his first glass bead factory. Five years later, operations started in the US. As the years rolled by there followed acquisitions and expansion of manufacturing facilities as well as a shift into intelligent transportation systems globally. Fast forward to 2019 and the family compan
    Read More
  • Busy bridge in Beijing replaced quickly
    March 31, 2016
    The replacement of a very busy road bridge in China’s capital Beijing has been carried out successfully. Due to the volume of traffic using the bridge during week days, the work had to be carried out quickly so as to minimise traffic disruption. But despite being carried out in the centre of Beijing, the replacement work for the Sanyuan Bridge just took 43 hours from start to completion.
    Read More
  • GPS machine control systems reduce survey time
    February 14, 2012
    Innovative uses are being made of GPS technology, Mike Woof reports. US firms Creighton Manning Engineering and Delaney Construction have made a novel use of GPS technology in a project for the Route 85 Slingerlands bypass extension in the US.
    Read More

Highlighted Content