How Can Construction 3D Printing Help Rebuild Kentucky After Devestating Floods?

In October of 2023, the US Climate Vulnerability Index was released. In that report, Kentucky was listed as one of the most at-risk states in the nation for environmental disasters. Eastern Kentucky is particularly vulnerable due to its geography, and over the last several years, floods, tornadoes, and other natural disasters have been devastating the area at an alarming rate. In 2022 alone, a flood swept away homes and schools, killing 45 people. In response to all this destruction, Kentucky’s Somerset Community College (SCC) has set its sights on rebuilding, putting additive manufacturing at the forefront of its work.

For over ten years, the KCTCS Additive Manufacturing Center at SCC has developed additive manufacturing education, while implementing it across the state. According to Andrew Clapper, Concrete 3D Printing (C3DP) Project Manager and member of the SCC team, “SCC was the first institution in the nation to develop a statewide additive manufacturing certificate program.” Thanks to partnerships with universities and colleges, and support from the National Science Foundation and the USDA Rural Development, the SCC Team was able to successfully “democratize and rapidly scale 3D printing education.”

The KCTCS Additive Manufacturing team (Photo credits: Somerset Community College)

Now that education is being integrated, Eric Wooldridge, Director of KCTCS Additive Manufacturing Center at SCC said “It is time to do the same with concrete 3D printing.” The C3DP Project aims to provide affordable and resilient housing solutions for surviving and rebuilding after natural disasters. So far, the project has earned funding from the USDA and the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC).