Let Construction Dive's free newsletter keep you informed, straight from your inbox.
Together with materials firm Versarien, the London-based builder will develop a variety of mortars for use in civil construction. Steel Scaffold
Personnel on the project will formulate three types of mortar, according to the release. One will be based on local materials and two will be enhanced with Versarien's proprietary graphene admixture, Cementene.
Together, the team will also look to establish a robust U.K.-based supply chain for the material. Facets of this work include:
Versarien has previously partnered with Balfour Beatty through the British National Highways’ Roads Research Alliance , which aims to progress innovative road projects in the U.K. construction space, and Digital Roads of the Future , a University of Cambridge project designed to evolve the country’s road network.
“We are delighted to be working with Balfour Beatty and their Highways business on this project to further develop 3D printable construction materials enabling low-carbon, efficient construction solutions,” said Stephen Hodge, Versarien’s CEO, in the release.
Balfour Beatty did not respond to questions regarding whether it would test the materials in the U.S.
Other researchers and companies are also paying close attention to 3D printing, such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology team that created 3D-printed glass bricks that it says have a crush strength comparable to that of concrete blocks.
In addition, Greeley, Colorado-based Alquist 3D recently created a nearly 8,000-square-foot, 20-foot-high 3D-printed expansion of retail giant Walmart’s online pickup and delivery space at a store in Athens, Tennessee.
Get the free daily newsletter read by industry experts
Greg Weimholt, the new data center lead for PCL, advocates for more use of the collaborative delivery method.
It’s Construction Suicide Prevention Week. Experts urge firms to cultivate a “culture of care” to support workers.
Subscribe to Construction Dive for top news, trends & analysis
Get the free daily newsletter read by industry experts
To add new elements to the original structure, the contractor's team used BIM and as-built scans to see variances in the existing floor elevations before erecting new steel, saving time and money.
It’s Construction Suicide Prevention Week. Experts urge firms to cultivate a “culture of care” to support workers.
Scaffolding Plank The free newsletter covering the top industry headlines