Testing and initial verification of the world's first metal 3D printed bridge
Author(s)
Gardner, Leroy
Kyvelou, Pinelopi
Herbert, Gordon
Buchanan, Craig
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Wire and arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) is a method of metal 3D printing that is suited to the requirements of the construction industry in terms of scale, speed and cost. Using this technology, a 10.5 m span footbridge, the first of its kind, has been printed. The testing, analysis and initial verification of the bridge and its components are described herein. The experiments performed included advanced geometric analysis, material testing, compressive testing of cross-sections and full-scale load testing of the bridge at various stages throughout and post construction. Parallel finite element modelling of the full bridge and its constituent elements has also been performed as part of the verification. Confirmation that the bridge was able to sustain its full serviceability design load enabled to the bridge to be unveiled to the public, with controlled access, for Dutch Design Week 2018. Further testing under ultimate limit state design loading is planned before the bridge is placed in its final location and fully opened to the public. The project highlights the potential for metal 3D printing in structural engineering, as well as the necessary considerations for design.
Date Issued
2020-09-01
Date Acceptance
2020-06-22
Citation
Journal of Constructional Steel Research, 2020, 172 (10), pp.1-10
ISSN
0143-974X
Publisher
Elsevier
Start Page
1
End Page
10
Journal / Book Title
Journal of Constructional Steel Research
Volume
172
Issue
10
Copyright Statement
© 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. This manuscript is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Licence http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
License URL
Sponsor
Engineering & Physical Science Research Council (E
Lloyds Register Foundation
Identifier
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0143974X20307859?via%3Dihub
Grant Number
CIST_P66773
ATIPO000004844 (PO)
Subjects
Science & Technology
Technology
Construction & Building Technology
Engineering, Civil
Engineering
3D printing
Finite element modelling
Steel structures
Stability
Testing
Wire and arc additive manufacturing
STRESS-STRAIN CURVES
STEEL
CONSTRUCTION
WIRE
Science & Technology
Technology
Construction & Building Technology
Engineering, Civil
Engineering
3D printing
Finite element modelling
Steel structures
Stability
Testing
Wire and arc additive manufacturing
STRESS-STRAIN CURVES
Civil Engineering
0905 Civil Engineering
0915 Interdisciplinary Engineering
1202 Building
Publication Status
Published
Coverage Spatial
Bradford, UK
Article Number
ARTN 106233
Date Publish Online
2020-07-09