Author Archives: dbressers

Saint-Gobain Weber Beamix produces 3D printed concrete skate elements for international sports event in Paris

This 400 m² skatepark at Esplanade de Paris La Défense resembles a gigantic pinball machine and is accessible to everyone from July 18 to August 11 during the international sports competition. Beginners and experienced skateboarders, families, and people with or without disabilities are all welcome to experience the sport together. 

 

Successful tests

Several skate elements were tested by prominent skaters and influencers in the 3D concrete printing factory in Eindhoven. The surface is perfectly suited for skateboarding, being neither too smooth nor too rough. “I can’t wait to explore the full skatepark and see how the riders make it their own,” says Hortense, co-founder of the Concrete Surf Riders Paris club. Haleksgang, a member of the O Labo club, is also positive: “Our test on the skate elements was really convincing. Saint-Gobain Weber Beamix got it right. We were able to talk with the developers and producers of the elements and gave them some finishing tips to optimize the riding experience as much as possible.”

The advantages of 3D concrete printing

The 3D concrete printing technique offers several significant advantages over traditional production methods. Thanks to the 3D concrete printing technology, skate elements can be designed and produced with utmost precision. This makes it possible to realize unique and complex shapes that perfectly meet the needs of skateboarders and were not feasible with traditional formwork. This provides designers and architects the freedom to think beyond traditional boundaries and create unique, functional skate elements.

 

Moreover, the production of skate elements with 3D printing technology is significantly faster than traditional methods and this innovative technique results in a CO2 reduction of 40 to 60% compared to traditional constructions. This is because concrete is used only where necessary and no reinforcement is required in the construction.

 

“We are extremely honored to apply this revolutionary technology for this unique project that Saint-Gobain is realizing in the run-up to this major sports event,” says Peter Paul Cornelissen, 3D Business Unit Manager at Saint-Gobain Weber Beamix. “Our 3D printed skate elements will not only enhance the sports experience for the users of this skatepark but also demonstrate how advanced the technology in the construction sector has become.”

Curious about all the benefits?
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CROW-CUR guideline for 3D concrete printing now available

Our expertise in 3D concrete printing allows us to build more freely, efficiently and sustainably, with a focus on optimizing material use and minimizing environmental impact. Thanks to CROW-CUR’s new guideline, we are able to share our knowledge and experience with all those involved in the construction process. These include architects and designers, structural engineers and (public) clients. In this way we think along about the appropriate 3D printed solutions. From slope stairs, street furniture, drive-in safeguards to bridges and housing/home elements.

The use of 3D concrete printing as a construction method represents a significant shift from traditional construction processes. It allows us to build objects layer by layer with concrete. This requires a different approach regarding material behavior, construction method and structural design choices. With a dedicated approach and groundbreaking solutions, we strive to continue to innovate and lead the construction industry into a sustainable future.

Curious about the possibilities for your organization? Then request our information brochure using the form below or contact:

Pieter Bakker

3D Projectleider

Phone: +31 6 51868615

E-mail: pieter.bakker@weberbeamix.nl

Jean Pierre van Dongen

3D Sales Projectleider BNL

Phone: +31 6 15076705

E-mail: jeanpierre.vandongen@weberbeamix.nl

Curious about the possibilities?
Download our brochure of unique objects
in the public space

Do you want to visit one of our 3D printing projects?

Saint-Gobain Weber and Urbastyle join forces with innovative 3D printed landscape benches

Through the innovative combination of 3D concrete printing with traditionally cast tops, we are creating benches that are both environmentally friendly and sustainable.

 

Infinite possibilities
One of the most striking features of the landscape benches is the enormous freedom of form. Customers have the ability to customize the benches to their specific needs and preferences. Consider the shape, size and color of the benches.

 

Lightweight and resilient
Thanks to the use of 3D concrete printing technology, Saint-Gobain Weber and Urbastyle have managed to introduce benches that are remarkably lightweight while maintaining comfortable seating experiences and low maintenance requirements. In addition, the benches are finished with a polished concrete top that is highly durable and resilient.

 

“The collaboration between Urbastyle and Weber embodies our commitment to pushing the boundaries of sustainable urban design,” said Peter Paul Cornelissen, Business Unit Manager of 3D Printing at Saint-Gobain Weber.

 

Curious about the possibilities?
Get in touch with us through our contact page. We will then get back to you as soon as possible.

Three different 3D-printed bicycle bridges next to the N243

Bert Swart, projectmanager for N243 at the Province of North Holland: “3D concrete printing aligns with a sustainable future, where more and more circular building practices are being adopted.”

 

Maintenance and reconstruction of N243

The N243 runs through beautiful polder landscapes. Therefore, several bridges span the waters of that landscape. Bicycle bridges have been placed over the Beemsterringvaart, Vrouwensloot, and Jispersloot along the Schermerhornerweg (N243) to make the road safer for cyclists. These were printed with concrete in the 3D concrete printing factory of Saint-Gobain Weber. The world’s highest 3D printed structure was previously printed here. Thanks to this innovative technique, less material is needed, and less material means reduced CO2 emissions. The 3D concrete printing technique offers further benefits. Less waste was produced during the construction process because no formwork was needed. And fewer tasks and steps were required on the construction site, resulting in significant time savings. Ultimately, special bridge railings with texts paying tribute to the Beemster and Schermer will be installed. The bridges, designed by Witteveen en Bos, do not contain reinforcement and are a perfect example of the design freedom and production speed that 3D concrete printing offers.

 

Inauguration on Friday, September 29

Deputy Jeroen Olthof of the Province of North Holland, Hein Jan Bocxe (CEO of BAM Infra Nederland), Bas Huysmans (CEO of Weber Benelux), and Willem Messchaert (dikeologist and writer of texts) performed the official opening ceremony on September 29. In the coming period, some final works will be carried out, after which the bridges will be fully ready and will enrich the landscape in all their glory for decades to come.

3D printed Burj al-Hamam steals the show at the Floriade

One of the most striking objects at the Floriade Expo 2022 in Almere is presented by Qatar: a 3D printed modern version of the Burj al-Hamam. This ‘pigeon tower’ was designed by Dar & the Expo Pavillion group and printed by Saint-Gobain Weber Beamix in Eindhoven.

The Pigeon Tower

 

The 3D printed Burj al-Hamam pays tribute to the traditionally built pigeon towers in Qatar and is characterized by its special, architectural shape. During the migration season, the tower provides a shelter for more than a thousand pigeons. At the same time, it provides an ecological way of farming. Thanks to the clever construction, the pigeon droppings can be collected and used as fertilizer for local farms. Visitors to the Floriade can also get to know the 3D printed structure and construction inside and up close. Since many wild pigeons now gratefully use the tower, access is of course entirely at your own risk.

Groundbreaking design

 

The Burj al-Hamam was built without steel reinforcement or poured concrete. The 3D printed construction provides an automated way to build the design of the towers. To further reduce the CO2 footprint, Weber has considerably reduced the energy requirement of the production process and the amount of material. As a result, up to 60% less CO2 was emitted for the towers than with the traditional way of building. In this way, the Weber Beamix Concrete Print Factory has pushed the boundaries of concrete printing even further.

For more information about the 3D concrete printing factory of Saint-Gobain Weber Beamix BV, please contact:


Peter Paul Cornelissen
International 3D Project Manager
T: +31 (0)40 259 79 11
E-mail: peterpaul.cornelissen@saint-gobain.com
www.3d.weber

Weber Beamix prints the longest 3D-printed concrete bicycle bridge in the world

The bridge was printed layer by layer in the concrete printing factory of Saint Gobain Weber Beamix and realised by the construction group BAM. It is not only the longest, but also the largest concrete bridge in the world for which the architect had complete freedom. Michiel van der Kley was able to work freely on the design and was not restricted by the material or traditional processes, such as concrete formwork.

Because the span is not constant everywhere and therefore the changing weight of the structure had to be taken into account, the choice was made to divide the bridge into printable parts. A parametric model – based on data – was used to generate the final design.

Faster and more flexible

In theory, printed bridges can be built much faster than ordinary bridges, with more flexibility and more room for personalised designs. They are also more sustainable, as less concrete is needed. The ambition of the partners in this innovative project is for 3D concrete printing to eventually become a sustainable construction method that can be used for the production of bridges and houses, among other things.

That is also the reason why Rijkswaterstaat, together with designer Van der Kley, took the initiative for this project. They donated this special bridge as a permanent reminder to the municipality of Nijmegen in honour of its election as European Green Capital 2018.

Unique bicycle bridge

The project is unique because the bicycle bridge has been designed with complete freedom of form, thanks to research at Eindhoven University of Technology and the further development of 3D concrete printing technology. The new appearance in de Geologenstrook park is characterised by its round and wavy shapes. 

Bas Huysmans, CEO of Saint Gobain Weber Benelux: “This 3D-production technique delivers savings of up to 50 percent in materials, because the printer only deposits concrete where it is needed for structural strength. 3D technology is maturing and is becoming a serious option for faster, more sustainable and cheaper construction of, for example, bicycle and pedestrian bridges.” 

Theo Salet, professor of Concrete Structures, TU Eindhoven: “The printing of concrete has enormous growth potential. We use less raw materials and can drastically increase the construction speed. In the future, we want to make concrete more sustainable and also reuse it. There is much more to achieve. I am also proud that the knowledge developed has found its way to the industry so quickly.” 

Alderman Bert Velthuis, Nijmegen City Council: “The city of Nijmegen is very honoured to receive this innovative 3D-printed bridge. We are a city of bridges, and this special, innovative bridge is a wonderful addition. The bridge leads to connection: in the design and construction phase it connected the different partners, and from now on the bridge connects our residents.”

Michiel van der Kley, designer: “I found it especially important to show where we stand with 3D-printing technology. The design is inspired by a shape that arises in nature because it has to absorb a certain force in the most efficient way, and now translated into a digital process. With this shape we have made 3D-printing of concrete objects more interesting again. ”