SCIENTIFIC EDUCATIONAL CENTER science idea

The first construction 3D printers have already begun to be used in practice: in China, they printed a concrete embankment, in the States - barracks. American inventor Alex Bell has figured out how to speed up and simplify this process. To do this, inflatable frames are needed, into which the solution is poured.

In the past, Bell has already shown his engineering savvy by designing a strange front-wheel-drive Bellcicle bike with a steering wheel under the seat. His new invention is called IFFF, which means inflatable flexible factory formwork. The New York startup Automatic Construction is engaged in its commercialization.

The IFFF works as follows: a truck brings a rolled-up PVC roll to the construction site, which is to be filled with air, like a festive bouncy castle for children. Then hoses are attached to the walls, feeding cement mortar inside, which gradually displaces air.

The frozen walls, floor and ceiling form the frame of the building, and the PVC shell serves as a waterproof, airtight and, therefore, energy-saving barrier. The next stage is the installation of windows and doors, exterior cladding.

To fix the walls of the prototypes that have been tested so far, reinforcement fasteners were used, which were put in place. However, Bell is going to find a way to install fittings, tripwires and other fasteners in advance.

As for the speed of construction of the building, the prototypes with an area of 9.3 sq. m. m and 18.6 sq . the m was inflated in 10 minutes, and the concrete was poured for another 1.5 hours. Together with the work, the cost of the construction was $20 dollars per square foot (0.09 sq. m.). This is significantly cheaper than any other construction method, Bell said in an interview with New Altas.

Houses built using the Bell method are already being built in New York State, two more projects are under discussion. In addition to houses, retail outlets and other construction infrastructure, IFFF allows you to quickly build swimming pools and military installations.

The American company Alquist 3D has announced the largest project of rapid construction of budget housing. The developer announced that he will build 200 houses in two Virginia towns using his patented 3D printer. According to the already approved plan, the blocks will be commissioned within five years and will receive the first residents by 2027.

https://hightech.plus (Georgy Golovanov)