BAM installs UK’s biggest 3D concrete printed structure

Aaron Morby 2 years ago
Share

BAM has become the first contractor in Scotland to make use of 3D concrete printing on a major civil structure.

3D printed concrete stair sections being installed
3D printed concrete stair sections being installed

The firm teamed up with Dutch concrete printing factory Weber Bemix to create the staircase elements on the Sighthill Bridge project across the M8 in Glasgow.

The seven flights of stairs to the pedestrian bridge is thought to be largest printed concrete construction in the UK to date.

Working on behalf of Glasgow City Council, BAM craned in the new staircase this week.

Once fully installed the new steps will be clad in granite for a long-lasting, slip-free finish.

Printing the bridge components allows for precise and intricate shapes, which can be tricky with traditional formwork, creating a truly unique structure.

The removal of moulds and materials reduces waste by 40% compared to traditional methods, keeping costs down and improving carbon efficiency.

Ian Steele, BAM Contracts Manager for the M8 Footbridge said: “It’s wonderful to see these 3D concrete printed aspects installed as this iconic bridge takes shape.

“Although this part of the landscaping will ultimately be hidden from site, it marks a huge step forward for BAM in how we modernise our approach to construction – reducing risk, improving efficiency, and driving down our carbon footprint.”

He added: “The use of this technology is in its infancy, but the aspiration is that interest and application grow to such a degree that we can invest in a UK-based printing facility which would improve how we construct within the UK.”

The steps were printed at the Weber Bemix factory in the Netherlands before being shipped to Scotland.

BAM’s Dutch business previously partnered with the specialist factory to create the world’s longest 3D concrete printed bridge in Nijmegen, Netherlands.

The Sighthill staircase will be just as strong as if poured on site. But using this innovative method allows the structure to be manufactured in a highly-controlled environment, removing concerns around weather and reducing the risks associate with on-site construction.

Automated sensors embedded in the materials add further certainty to the quality of mortar throughout the process.

Latest news

Staff stunned as engineering consultancy Clarkebond closes

Firm was only bought three months ago by rival Independent Design House Group
1 day ago

Vistry issues third profit warning in three months

Profit expected to fall £50m below forecast due to delayed completions
1 day ago

Miller Homes buys St Modwen Homes for £215m

Scottish house builder snaps up £368m turnover rival
4 days ago

Keltbray fine increased to £18m after failed bid rigging appeal

Contractor loses penalty discount for settling with competition authorities
5 days ago

Luxury house builder goes under with 70 job losses

Octagon Developments in administration after 40 years in business
5 days ago

Top Ten best read stories of 2024

The biggest headlines of an eventful year. Have a good one and here's to a successful 2025
5 days ago

BAM Nuttall fined £800,000 after concrete skip tragedy

Young labourer killed by falling bale arm
6 days ago

Keltbray infrastructure business reveals new name

AUREOS means "new dawn" after private equity acquisition
5 days ago

Stiffer fines for over-running street works from next Summer

Cash raised from lane rentals to be channeled into pothole repairs
5 days ago

£113m Basildon rental homes scheme seals build finance

Work expected to start early next year on Market Square project
5 days ago

Notting Hill Genesis seeks more tier 1 repairs contractors

London housing trust seeks eight firms for new £1.5bn repairs framework
5 days ago

Reclaimed steel oil rig columns worked into London office revamp

Curo will use reclaimed bricks and steel for Fitzrovia office overhaul
6 days ago

CITB delays levy approval consultation

Levy agreement talks pushed back by ongoing review into effectiveness of training body
6 days ago

Ofwat approves £104bn water industry spending plan

Household water bills to rise by 36% to fund quadrupling of investment
6 days ago

Costain/ Siemens JV clinches HS2 power supply job

£300m deal for HV power supply systems over the 225km route
6 days ago

Demolition team assembles on Multiplex London Wall site

Erith to start work next month at Deutsche Bank's former headquarters
1 week ago

Norwich Council acts to revive £300m Anglia Square scheme

Council uses Homes England funding to buy stalled site with planning for 1,100 homes
6 days ago

Go-ahead for 4,500-home Cambridgeshire new town

Waterbeach new town plan stalled three years ago after an Environment Agency objection
6 days ago

Henry Boot to take total control of Stonebridge Homes

Deal worth at least £30m
6 days ago

HS2 costs could hit £66bn

Government looking for next estimate to be lower
1 week ago

Mace to close construction logistics arm

Specialist business being wound down
1 week ago

National Grid to invest £35bn over next five years

Plan set out for record investment in electricity transmission infrastructure
1 week ago

Profits double at Barhale

Civils specialist sees order book top £1bn
1 week ago

Balfour wins 68km HV underground power cable deal

Main works to start next year on Eastern Green Link 2 job
1 week ago

Stunning site wrap unveiled on Sloane Street

Hoarding creates illusion of fully formed façade on £53m Galliford Try job
1 week ago

Heathrow Airport upgrade spend takes off again

Airport operator will spend £2.3bn over the next two years
1 week ago

Government buys back over 36,000 military homes

Public ownership deal to release wave of upgrade and new build work
1 week ago

Story Contracting staff braced for rail job losses

Work coming through slower than expected from Network Rail
1 week ago

Ballymore submits two plans for 3,700 East London homes

Construction could start in 2025 on Thames Road and Knights Road schemes
1 week ago

Blackpool council steps in on failed developer’s £300m scheme

Blackpool Central site clearance to start in the New Year as hunt starts for new developer
1 week ago

Contractor services