Larsen & Toubro (L&T), the Indian engineering conglomerate, has said that its L&T Construction unit has 3D-printed India’s first two-storeyed building using a concrete mix developed by its inhouse team.
In a statement, the company said that this is its second building made with a printer supplied by Cobod, a global developer of modular 3D construction printers. The two-storey building (G+1) of 65sqm was completed using a 3D printable concrete mix developed by L&T Construction’s inhouse unit, based on locally sourced raw materials and methods for integrating reinforcement with the 3D printed concrete, in an open-to-sky environment.
Cobod also helped support the execution and delivery of the project, the statement added.
The 3D printed structure is located close to Chennai in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. L&T previously printed a 22sqm building, complete with a bedroom, hall, and kitchen.
V Satish, L&T director & senior executive vice president (buildings) said: “3D concrete printing is one of the technology disruptors with the potential to radically redefine construction methodologies and I am extremely happy that by demonstrating our growing expertise in 3D printing, we are well positioned to push the boundaries of automated robotic construction.”
The statement added that the printing marks an important milestone for L&T, where conventional type real concrete has been printed by a conventional construction company that has adopted 3D printing technology, which is believed to be the future of construction.
Henrik Lund-Nielsen, the founder and general manager of Cobod, said: “L&T Construction’s project marks a huge step forward for our industry, on a global scale.”
“Not only is the project showing that more and more conventional construction companies are adapting 3D printing, but the 3D printing of a real concrete made by L&T themselves is significant, as this helps to drive down the cost even further. It is really impressive how L&T developed the 3D printable concrete and applied integral horizontal and vertical reinforcement in the building,” he concluded.