{"id":997,"date":"2011-09-14T04:47:40","date_gmt":"2011-09-14T04:47:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/archives\/997-variable-density-3d-printing-and-the-potential-for-architecture.html"},"modified":"2022-09-22T14:58:47","modified_gmt":"2022-09-22T18:58:47","slug":"variable-density-3d-printing-and-the-potential-for-architecture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/variable-density-3d-printing-and-the-potential-for-architecture","title":{"rendered":"Variable Density 3D Printing and the Potential for Architecture"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/a><\/p>\n

MIT graduate student Steven Keating in the Mediated Matter Group<\/a> is experimenting with \u201cprinting\u201d concrete with variable density as it would allow the properties of the concrete itself to vary continuously,
\nproducing structures that are both lighter and stronger than
\nconventional concrete, by making it porous in the center and solid on the exterior, just like bones<\/a>.<\/p>\n

To illustrate this, Keating uses the example of a palm tree compared to a
\ntypical structural column. In a concrete column, the properties of the
\nmaterial are constant, resulting in a very heavy structure. But a palm
\ntree\u2019s trunk varies: denser at the outside and lighter toward the
\ncenter. As part of his thesis research, he has already made sections of
\nconcrete with the same kind of variations of density.<\/i><\/p>\n


\n<\/i>\u201cNature
\nalways uses graded materials,\u201d Keating says. Bone, for example, consists
\nof \u201ca hard, dense outer shell, and an interior of spongy material. It
\ngives you a high strength-to-weight ratio. You don\u2019t see that in
\nman-made materials.\u201d Not yet, at least.<\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This may also have benefits to to make concrete structures to have inherent insulation, to channel, store and filter water, the possibilities are truly exciting. <\/p>\n

<\/object><\/p>\n

Via MIT<\/a><\/p>\n


\n\"Bookmark<\/a>