News Detail

Constructing the Future

3/28/2017

NASA wants help in figuring out how to build a house on Mars using advanced 3D printing technology.

This topic and other issues were discussed at The Concrete Convention and Exposition in Detroit, MI, USA, at a convention session titled, ”Does 3-D Printing Have a Concrete Future in Our World and Beyond?”

Sponsored by ACI Committee 123, Research and Current Developments, the session focused on the themes of potential applications in the construction industry and beyond Earth, challenges of implementation, and future research needs and priorities.

Compared to traditional concrete construction methods, 3-D printing technologies are potentially revolutionary in many ways and may have a significant impact on how we construct various concrete structures in the future. Architects are enthusiastic because these technologies open up almost limitless new shapes for buildings. Contractors are interested because of the potential to build structures without external forms. Civil engineers are intrigued that the construction process might be faster, cheaper, and more flexible. NASA is aggressively pursuing 3-D printing technologies for the construction of extraterrestrial habitats, and as part of this effort, the agency is sponsoring a 3-D Printed Habitat Challenge in 2017.

Informing the Student Forum about the ACI student chapter at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito in Ecuador. #ACIConvention pic.twitter.com/7nB13kpegF

— AmericanConcreteInst (@ConcreteACI) March 27, 2017

A highlight of the day was the new Student Forum which provided an opportunity for student chapters and student competition teams to meet and learn from one another. Student speakers gave presentations about the activities and achievements of their student chapter or competition team. There was a packed house for this new event.

After a session-filled morning, students and other ACI attendees heard speaker Lance J. Richards give a presentation titled "Seven Deadly Sins: The Seven Things You Must Do to Remain Unemployed and in Your Parents Basement” at the Student Lunch. Richards told attendees that there is a shortage of talent, not a shortage of people, and encouraged them to join professional associations, get certifications, and think about continuing education.

An afternoon session about Classroom Demonstrations explained effective classroom techniques employed in classes to enhance student learning. Attendees learned about the concepts being taught, as well as how to perform these demonstrations in their own classes. In addition to performing their demonstrations, the speakers set up their demonstration materials at a table so attendees could inspect the materials and interact with the speakers.

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Session Handouts.

A special session title “An Evening with Mete: Celebrating the Educator, Mentor, Researcher” was another highlight of the day. Mete Sozen not only shaped the ACI 318 Building Code, but also our way of thinking. Scores of engineers across the world have been influenced by his ideas either directly or through his former students. Attendees joined Sozen for an evening reception to celebrate his career as an educator, a mentor, and a researcher.

Rounding out the day, The Women in ACI held a packed networking event. The event is a long-standing tradition that connects young women in the concrete industry with experienced professionals, giving them a chance to gain support and mentorship in a male dominated profession.

 

Enjoying the Women in ACI reception at the #ACIConvention in #Detroit! pic.twitter.com/m7UYgscON7

— AmericanConcreteInst (@ConcreteACI) March 27, 2017