I’m reading about a potential application for 3DCP: tornado shelters.
An article in the Manhattan, Kansas The Mercury — right in tornado alley — talks about new research being done in this area.
The problem is that today’s traditional tornado shelters are expensive to build, especially when considering they would be used only occasionally. As a result, there are often not enough shelters available when needed.
Could 3D-printed concrete shelters be an answer? That is explored in the Mercury article, where Kansas State University assistant professor of architecture Reese Greenlee has been doing work on this idea.
According to Prof. Greenlee, standard, non-reinforced concrete is insufficient for the job. But 3D-printed concrete often does not have reinforcements.
However, 3DCP does offer the possibility of geometry changes. The research is looking at how to 3D print concrete in a way that can optimize the airflow and even deflect flying objects, which are the real danger during a tornado.
The concepts from the research will be built with a 3DCP system, and then tested to see if they meet with FEMA standards for storm shelters. Even if the proposed approach technically works, there is then the cost factor: could these 3D-printed shelters be economically feasible? That’s hard to say, as a shelter is really a form of insurance, not an investment where income is expected.
If this research works out, then we might see a future where standardized storm shelters made from 3D-printed concrete sections are built everywhere tornados may appear.
Via The Mercury
