(Construction) - Japanese construction company Obayashi Corporation has pioneered the application of 3D-printed precast components (PCa) in the construction of an underwater pier construction project in Oiso Town, Kanagawa Prefecture.
It was commissioned by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. This marks the first domestic use of 3D-printed PCa components for a large-scale civil structure. The newly installed underwater pier, approximately 16 meters wide, 42 meters long, and with a height ranging from 3 to 7 meters, incorporates 3D-printed components at its tip. Compared to traditional construction methods, these components reduce the weight by half and achieve a 60% reduction in labor requirements and project duration.
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| Obayashi Corporation applies 3D-Printed precast components in underwater pier construction |
For this project, the 3D-printed shells were produced using a 3D printer, filled with the company's room-temperature-curing ultra-high-strength fiber-reinforced concrete, known as "Slimcrete." This streamlined the logistics of transportation, unloading, and assembly, resulting in both a shortened construction period and increased efficiency through reduced manpower.
In this construction project, the maximum weight of one block is 17.6 tons. In contrast to conventional methods requiring numerous PCa panels and having a maximum block weight of 35.5 tons, this represents a 50% reduction in weight. Each block can be lifted using a four-point suspension system, enhancing safety and construction quality compared to traditional methods. The risk of damage due to collisions with adjacent blocks is also significantly minimized.
The pre-fabricated PCa blocks, manufactured in the factory, were transported to the construction site and installed underwater. This process allows for a 15-day reduction in the installation period for the tip block compared to conventional methods, bringing it down to just six days. As a result, the total workforce required has been reduced from 96 to 42, achieving both a shortened project duration and manpower saving. (2023/11/20)
The Daily Engineering and Construction News of Japan
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