The bridge will be 10 meters long and 5 meters wide, designed for both pedestrians and cyclists. The pilot project is part of Singapore’s efforts to adopt 3D concrete printing technology to boost construction productivity amid labor shortages.
The project is being developed in collaboration with the Singapore Center for 3D Printing at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), engineering consultancy Witteveen+Bos and construction firm CES_Innovfab.
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An artist's impression of the 3D concrete printed pedestrian bridge (Photo: Singapore’s Land Transport Authority) |
The project team has developed cement-based materials suitable for 3D printing, designed the bridge structure and produced a scaled model to test its structural durability. Structural tests on the model were completed last month, and the results are currently being assessed before construction of the full-scale bridge begins.
3D concrete printing is a highly automated construction method in which concrete is extruded through a nozzle layer by layer to form structures without the need for formwork. According to LTA, the technology could significantly reduce labor requirements and construction time, particularly in labor-constrained environments like Singapore, by minimizing the need for temporary structures and manual work.
The technology also allows engineers to create complex geometric forms and distinctive architectural designs that are difficult to achieve using traditional construction methods. However, LTA noted that 3D concrete printing remains an emerging technology in infrastructure development, and the bridge project will serve as a pilot to assess its feasibility for specific infrastructure applications.
The bridge is designed with 10 concrete segments that will be assembled and threaded with steel cables along the entire length. These cables will be anchored to concrete blocks at both ends and tightened using a post-tensioning technique to compress the segments into a single bridge deck.
A scaled model measuring 10 meters in length and 2.5 meters in width, half the width of the actual bridge, was tested using water tanks to evaluate safety and durability. Allan Yeo, Deputy Director for street design and infrastructure technology at LTA, said the bridge’s load-bearing capacity is comparable to that of conventional pedestrian bridges. During testing, 18 water tanks weighing about one ton each were used to simulate loads.
LTA said testing of the model has been completed and data collected from sensors are being analyzed to verify theoretical design calculations and ensure structural integrity. If the results are positive, construction of the full-scale bridge will begin, followed by further evaluations before the structure is opened to the public.
Source: VNA