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U.S. Army 3D prints their first concrete barracks

The U.S. Army’s Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL) in Champaign, Illinois, has announced the successful construction of a 512-square foot, 3D printed concrete barracks. The laboratory used an in-house 3D printing technology that was developed in partnership

U.S. Army 3D prints their first concrete barracks
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The U.S. Army’s Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL) in Champaign, Illinois, has announced the successful construction of a 512-square foot, 3D printed concrete barracks. The laboratory used an in-house 3D printing technology that was developed in partnership with NASA.

The US Army recently launched a three-year program called the “Automated Construction of Expeditionary Structures” (ACES), which focuses on building semi-permanent buildings that are 3D printed from a composite concrete mix of locally available materials. The creation of this new barracks is part of this program. This initiative follows many other recent projects launched by the U.S. military, which already includes 3D printers at the front lines.

3D printing US Army

Concrete 3D printing saves cost and time Photo// Mike Jazdyk

The aim of the ACES program is to implement additive manufacturing technology directly on the ground, thus increasing efficiency in terms of cost and time. “ACES provides a capability to print custom designed expeditionary structures on-demand, in the field, using locally available materials,” said Dr. Michael Case, CERL ACES Program Manager. “ACES will allow the Army to print buildings and other required infrastructure, such as barriers, culverts, and obstacles on location.”