Scientists at the University of Bristol in the UK have developed a large simulator to test the safety of 3D-printed buildings during natural disasters like earthquakes. This innovation comes as 3D printing technology expands and 3D-printed buildings move closer to becoming common rather than rare.
The simulator is a large table equipped with mounting brackets that hold 3D-printed structures firmly in place. It can simulate various movements, especially horizontal shakes, to observe how these buildings respond to sudden seismic activity. This testing is conducted in the university’s Soil Foundation Structure Interaction Laboratory (SoFSI). According to the BBC, this project is the first of its kind.
Anastasios Sextos, a professor of earthquake engineering leading the project, said one key goal is to balance affordability with safety in 3D-printed housing. These tests are vital for helping designers create strong, reliable 3D-printed buildings. This is especially important for consumers who may not have the resources to verify the structural integrity of their homes on their own.
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