An arched unreinforced masonry footbridge composed of 3D-printed concrete blocks assembled without mortar.
Exhibited during the 2021 Venice Architecture Biennale, the 16x12m footbridge combines traditional techniques of master builders with advanced computational design, engineering and robotic manufacturing technologies. Striatus optimises the interrelated properties of masonry structures and 3D concrete printing presenting an alternative to traditional concrete construction.
A showcase of what may be possible with developing technologies, this footbridge cleverly uses non-orthogonal 3D concrete printing to align the print layers with the stress directions.
The form of the bridge and the assembly responds precisely to the technology allowing lightweight printed components to be assembled dry and stabilised by their own form and weight.
While small-scale, the analysis covers many of the issued that larger and permanent structures face and hints at exciting development to come in the built environment.