Zaha Hadid Architects and ETH Zurich have built a 3D-printed concrete footbridge named Striatus in Venice.
Named Striatus, the 16-metre-long bridge was built by the computation and design team at Zaha Hadid Architects, known as ZHACODE, in collaboration with the Block Research Group (BRG) at Swiss university ETH Zurich, incremental3D and Holcim.
It was constructed from 53 hollow blocks each printed from 500 layers of printed concrete. The 53 blocks took 84 hours each to print while its construction, including foundation casting, assembly and stair and deck installation, took 35 days.
The structure is an unreinforced arched bridge that uses compression and gravity to hold its form. The studios arranged the 3D-printed wedge-shaped elements, known as voussoirs, to form arches and vaults.
The bridge has a double-curved deck with swooping stepped entry points placed at either end of the bridge, leading up the structure from its footings.
No glue or adhesives were used during the construction, instead, neoprene pads were placed between each of the printed blocks during assembly to control the levels of friction and stress concentration. External ties were added to the bridge to absorb the thrust tension.
«The intention was to meet the challenges facing the architecture, engineering and construction industry by demonstrating a responsible way to design with one of its most widely-used and enduring materials — concrete,» ZHACODE co-founder Shajay Bhooshan and BRG co-director Philippe Block have said.
Source: www.dezeen.com