GUtech 3D prints three structures in eight days in Oman
The university said that the project used minimal labor and had a very low cost of concrete material
The German Technology University of Oman (GUtech) says it 3D printed three structures in record time in Duqm, the special economic zone of Oman. The university says it 3D printed a coffee shop (said to be the first in the world), a public toilet and a fisherman’s house in 22-, 13- and 19-hours respectively.
The university pointed out that the total duration of the project – including movement of the 3D printer – was just eight days and added that the performance is unmatched.
“GUtech introduced 3D concrete printing in the sultanate of Oman and showed how we can adopt the newest construction technology and employ it so we can get the most out of it. With the record fast printing in Duqm, we have proven the potential of 3D construction printing. We have huge faith in our Omani expert team, and we are aiming to achieve beyond expectations,” said GUtech’s Dr. Yousuf Al Bulushi.
In December 2021, GUtech unveiled what was then the largest 3D printed building in the world.
All the 3D printed buildings were made in cooperation with Teejan serving as the general contractor. The buildings were 3D printed with locally available raw materials and the D.fab solution developed by COBOD and CEMEX, which makes it possible to 3D print concrete with 99% locally sourced materials at a very low cost. In total, just US $3,600 was used for the concrete for the three structures. All of the structures are said to have load bearing walls with no columns, roof slabs and 3D printed parapets.
The 3D printed commercial coffee shop is said to have a floor area of 81m2, and the total printing time was 22 hours – the GU Tech team is said to have managed to finish the construction within three days, allocating eight hours of work per day. The structure has a height of 3.7m and the materials consumed totaled 19.6m3 of concrete.
The second building was a public toilet with a total area of 20m2. The total printing time amounted to 13 hours, divided across two days. The structure’s height is 3.5m and the construction consumed 10.6m3 of concrete.
In June 2022, Dubai Municipality launches several technical activities around 3D printing technologies.
The last 3D printed building was a fisherman’s house, with an area of 72m2. To complete the building, GUtech specialists needed only 19 hours of printing, divided across two days. The one-story house is 3m in height and required 17.3m3 of concrete.
Duqm is a new development area, based on several economic, tourism and development zones, which contains a multipurpose port, a dry dock for ship repairs, a fishing port, a regional airport and tourist, industrial and logistical areas.
The authorities of Duqm approved the 3D printed construction method and provided the permits for the 3D printed buildings, GUtech stated.
In October 2022, SCIB announced the completion of the first 3D printed house in Borneo.
Zaid Marmash, Head Architect and the person responsible for the Middle East at COBOD concluded, “I’m proud to have co-designed the buildings 3D printed by GUtech and approved in Duqm. With the use of curves and unconventional shapes, the buildings match the futuristic and aspirational nature of Duqm. 3D concrete printing, as well as Duqm, are both very promising and GUtech is providing the proof that the promises are being realised.”
In earl November 2022, Dar Al Arkan completed Saudi Arabia’s first 3DCP villa.
