Three-dimensional concrete printing (3DCP) is an emerging construction technology that offers significant benefits over conventional methods, including reduced materials use and design flexibility. Notably, making concrete at the point of need eliminates the environmental impact and cost associated with transportation.
3DCP systems have proven to be effective on land, but to date none exist that can extend the benefits to underwater applications such as pipelines, bridges, and coastal infrastructure.
Adapting land-based hardware for printing concrete underwater
The Trenton program aims to demonstrate that underwater 3DCP is possible. Program objectives include developing methodologies and chemistries for in situ manufacturing of concrete structures underwater in support of various Department of Defense (DOD) use cases, including coastal infrastructure reinforcement and bridge repair.
Trenton focuses on developing, refining, and optimizing printable formulations and fabrication hardware. Performers are expected to leverage and adapt existing land-based 3DCP for printing underwater. Key considerations include material availability, density control, extrudability, shape retention, print resolution, print open time, and buildability.
Underwater 3DCP requires finely interwoven formulation and fabrication:
- Formulation includes all aspects related to material chemistries and must avoid the use of potentially toxic materials
- Fabrication includes aspects of hardware development that enable the transition of a land-based 3DCP system into water
If successful, Trenton will solve critical challenges in fielding underwater 3DCP solutions, enabling military and civilian construction projects to take advantage of significant reductions in time, cost, and environmental impact.