'India's first 3D-printed house may be built within a year'
India could build its first 3D printed house within a year, according to a team from IIT Madras that has successfully printed a miniature single storey structure. Researchers from the premier institute, along with a start-up by the alumni of the Tamil Nadu-based institute, have established a 3D printing laboratory to take the indigenously-developed technology to the mass market.
Tvasta: The start-up building the 3D house
The start-up called Tvasta Manufacturing Solutions aspires to completely automate construction, including placement of reinforcements and finishing, by re-envisioning the construction process. A prototype structure, that has been printed at IIT Madras, will serve as a base foundational model for accelerating research and development in Tvasta's aim to making affordable sanitation and housing a reality in the country.
India's infra deficit inspired use of 3D printing technology: Researchers
According to the researchers, India's massive infrastructure deficit in the area of housing, toilets, and transportation inspired them to turn to 3D printing technology. They said that they are keenly looking forward to bringing the advantages of this technology to the Indian market.
Main focus: 'Housing for all scheme' and 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan'
Koshy Varghese, a professor in the Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Madras, said the institute is collaborating with several government agencies and industry-experts to disseminate knowledge and establish policies to bring this technology to field. Adithya VS, Co-founder of Tvasta said their main focus is towards the 'Housing for All' scheme under PMA Yojana and construction of toilets for the 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan'.
A specially designed concrete is used for construction
"Tvasta is working with multiple stakeholders in the construction Industry to make 3D Printing technology suitable and viable for the Indian construction industry," said Aditya. The start-up, whose other founders are Parivarthan Reddy, Vidyashankar C, and Santhosh Kumar, said that the material that is being used is a specially designed concrete. India's first 3D printed house will be completed within the next year.
Start-up plans to work on stabilized soil and geopolymers
"We will also be working on natural materials, such as stabilized soil, or alternative cementing materials, such as geopolymers, in the future," the team said. However, for now, the team plans to have the capability to print the elements of a complete house of about 320 square feet in about 3 days and complete the entire assembly, including finishing, within a week.
