What's happening in Switzerland that they're pushing the limits of concrete? Earlier this year an architecture PhD student from ETH Zurich announced a new type of formwork that would allow less concrete and steel than conventional reinforced floor slabs. Now, as an initiative of the Origen cultural foundation (known as Nova Fundaziun Origen) in collaboration with ETH Zurich, Tor Alva has been inaugurated as the world's talled 3D-printed concrete tower.
The tower stands tall over Mulegns, Switzerland - a small mountain village home to 11 people.
Birdviewpicture and Nova Foundaziun Origen
Quick Specs on the Concrete
- The tower contains 4 levels, each of 8 reinforced 3D-printed concrete columns
- Height: 98.4 ft. (30 m), including an existing base
- Diameter: about 23 to 29.5 ft. (7 to 9 m)
- 900 hours to print (estimated)
- 2,500 extruded concrete layers, measuring 10 mm each at 15-20mm wide
Benjamin Hofer and Nova Foundaziun Origen
In an interesting twist, Tor Alva (which means "White Tower" in Romansh) is intended to remain in the location for 5 years. It can then be dismantled to be re-erected elsewhere.
The tower consists 32 white concrete columns that climb up over 4 stories tall. They become thinner and more branched and eventually fan out to form the dome.
A special concrete mix was developed for the construction. It needed to be soft enough to bond yet cure quickly enough to support subsequent layers. For this, Robert Flatt, ETH Professor of Physical Chemistry of Building Materials, developed the mixture. Two additives are blended into the mixture prior to extrusion of the robot.
Read the official announcement at Ethz.ch and more details at Tor.alva.ch.
Birdviewpicture and Nova Foundaziun Origen
