UA awarded $3.5 million to study 3D concrete printing

Applied Research Associates, a research and engineering firm headquartered in New Mexico, awarded University of Arkansas faculty in the College of Engineering nearly $3.5 million to study the most expedient ways to 3D print horizontal mission structures for the U.S. military.

The two-year grant comes as part of a larger $12 million award ARA received from the United States Army Engineer Research and Development Center. 

According to the UA, the faculty team will work to identify optimum design patterns and indigenous materials that can be used in horizontal construction projects (such as creating culverts, T-walls and Jersey barriers), as well as develop printing instructions for mobile robots that can be deployed quickly on site.

Michelle Barry, an associate professor of civil engineering, is the principal investigator. Wenchao Zhou, an associate professor of mechanical engineering, and Cameron Murray, an assistant professor of civil engineering, will assist.

“We’re excited to have the opportunity to work with ARA and leverage their industry knowledge and experience to develop cutting-edge 3D printing capabilities,” Zhou said in a UA release. “This grant will enable us to invest in research and development, driving the innovation of our swarm 3D printing technology and unlocking new possibilities for the future of construction and other industries.”

More details from the UA news release are at this link.