First 3D printed concrete bridge emerges in Venice
Innovative footbridge is first of its kind in the worldOn July 20, 2021, a modern and unique looking footbridge opened up to the public in the city of Venice.
But the bridge, named ‘Striatus’, is no ordinary bridge. It is, in fact, the world’s first footbridge built using 3D printed concrete that has been held together through sheer compression with no reinforcements, resulting in a structure that has minimal material use but maximum strength.
The bridge was the brainchild of Block Research Group and Zaha Hadid Architects, in collaboration with incremental3D and Holcim.
“The name ‘Striatus’ reflects the bridge’s structural logic and fabrication process,” explained Block Research Group’s co-director, Phillipe Block.
“In arched and vaulted structures, material is placed such that forces can travel to the supports in pure compression. Strength is created through geometry, using a fraction of the materials used in conventional concrete beams.”
Zaha Hadid Architects’ Computation and Design research Head of CODE, Shajay Bhooshan, said the Striatus revives ancient techniques in a modern application.
“Striatus stands on the shoulders of giants. It revives ancestral techniques of the past, taking the structural logic of the 1600s into the future with digital computation, engineering and robotic manufacturing technologies.”
The blocks holding the bridge together have been ‘printed’ using specific, custom-made ink from concrete specialist Holcim’s TectorPrint range, developed by its 3D Concrete Printing research team.
“Striatus was designed by some of the best architectural and creative minds in their fields,” said Holcim CEO, Jan Jenisch.
“It demonstrates the infinite possibilities of 3D Concrete Printing to enable more sustainable, faster and effective building structures, without compromise on aesthetics and functionality.
“Its digital and circular design uses concrete at its best, with minimal material use and blocks that can be repeatedly reassembled and infinitely recycled.”
Striatus is now open to the public during the Venice Architecture Biennale until November 2021.
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