The exhibition Layers of Possibilities 3D Printing will showcase the results of research on working with concrete

 Prague - Starting today, an exhibition about 3D printing with concrete will be available for viewing at the gallery of the Czech National Technical Library in Prague. It will present research results conducted by the Klokner Institute of the Czech Technical University (CTU), an expert workplace in its laboratories. The exhibition titled Layers of Possibilities of 3D Printing will also showcase the first bridge printed in the Czech Republic from concrete, informed the ČTK via a press release from CTU by Kateřina Veselá.

The research was led by Jiří Kolísko, head of the Klokner Institute, alongside architect Petr Tej, co-author of the new Štvanická footbridge in Prague made from ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC). It has been five years since the Klokner Institute and scientists from the Technical University of Liberec produced the first 3D printed concrete element, Veselá noted. What has happened during this time is the subject of the exhibition.

"There will be experimental projects exploring the use of this modern technology in architecture and demonstrating new possibilities that 3D printing with concrete brings. The first 3D printed bridge structure in the Czech Republic will be presented here, along with many other related innovative techniques,” said Kolísko.

Unlike the Netherlands, Spain, or China, a 3D printed concrete bridge has not yet been presented in the Czech Republic. The authors of the exhibited works at the National Technical Library Gallery are Oto Melter, Michael Gabriel Jr., Aleš Hvízdal, and Kateřina Goryczka. The exhibition at the National Technical Library Gallery will last until August 2.

According to previous information from experts, 3D printing with concrete allows the creation of rough structures up to five times faster, and compared to traditional casting technology, it can save up to 70 percent of materials. Other advantages include architectural freedom and reduced amounts of material and waste.

The technology is also being further developed through its own research by the company ICE Industrial Services from Žďár nad Sázavou. Its printed concrete parts are hollow, can have various shapes, and products can have broader applications. For instance, a parkour playground was created in Prague's Jižní Město as early as 2021.