Sebastian Dietrich along with co-authors Philip Schneider, Christiane Richter, Reza Najian Asl, Kathrin Dörfler, Kai-Uwe Bletzinger and Pierluigi D'Acunto just published a comprehensive article on the structural design workflow used for realising "Bridge the Gap". The project was one of the very early applications of Scawo3D's SPI technology and the first that deployed solid SPI-printed elements as the primary load-bearing structure. The project was realised at the AMC TRR 277 research cluster for Additive Manufacturing in Construction together with Scawo3D.
Paper Abstract:
This paper presents a method for the structural design of additively manufactured concrete structures using the Selective Paste Intrusion (SPI) technique. The approach addresses the specific constraints of 3D printing while leveraging its unique design potential. The proposed method integrates global geometry generation, segmentation into manufacturable components, detailed structural design, and advanced analysis. A multi-fidelity modeling strategy connects low-fidelity models, such as strut-and-tie networks for force path generation, with high-fidelity models that use continuous geometries and stress fields for precise design refinement. Low-fidelity models, developed through Vector-based Graphic Statics and Combinatorial Equilibrium Modeling, facilitate rapid design exploration during the early design phase, whereas high-fidelity models enable advanced design development through finite element simulations and optimization techniques. Segmentation is guided by force flow to enhance manufacturability and ensure normal stress transmission at joints. The proposed method is demonstrated through a case study of a 3D-printed segmented pedestrian bridge manufactured with the SPI technique, highlighting its effectiveness in optimizing structural performance, ensuring stability, and accommodating printing constraints from the initial design phase.
Full Paper (published in Automation in Construction 179, November 2025):
Further links:
Professorship of Digital Fabrication (Prof. Dr. Kathrin Dörfler)
Professorship of Structural Design (Prof. Dr. Pierluigi D'Acunto)
