SAHIF Leads the Charge for Earthquake-Proof 3D Printed Housing in South Africa

Earthquakes are one of the scarier natural phenomena in the world. Though most are mild, those that are particular shallow or strong can cause unbelievable devastation such as the one that hit Turkey and Syria earlier this year which, according to estimates, caused in Turkey alone 50,783 deaths, 297 missing and 107,204 injured. Yet another recent earthquake, this time in Johannesburg, South Africa has had an interesting result. Since its occurrence only on June 11th, the South African Housing & Infrastructure Fund (SAHIF) has announced that it plans to implement concrete 3D printed housing in the country which has an additional benefit of being earthquake-proof.

For some time, South Africa has been facing a housing crisis due to rising construction costs, slow release of housing and other factors has led to about 12 million people in dire need of housing in the country. Construction 3D printing has often been used in other countries to more quickly and cheaply create housing for those in need, for example Habitat for Humanity who has already two houses made using additive manufacturing under its belt. This is another example of that with the added benefit of having the housing be earthquake-proof to protect from future such natural disasters as it would allow for resistant, sustainable and quality housing.

Construction 3D printing at the University of South Africa (photo credits: CyBe)

The Rise of Earthquake-Proof 3D Printed Housing

The venture is thanks to a partnership between SAHIF and Netherlands-based construction technology company CyBe construction. Indeed, CyBe is known for its earthquake-proof 3D printing housing solutions as well as those that are hurricane-proof. CyBe claims that the key to their earthquake-proof 3D printed housing is thanks to the flexibility of concrete 3D printing which allow for the construction of more customized structures, including those that are ideal for earthquakes. Additionally, they point to their own CyBe Mortar, an earthquake resistant concrete that is specifically formulated for 3D printing. Specifically, it combines high-strength aggregates and fibers in order to withstand seismic forces thanks to its durability and flexibility.