A team of university students from Shanghai showcased a futuristic bridge design, produced using a combination of two metal construction processes: large-scale metal 3D printing and filament winding.
According to 3D Printing Media network, the bridge was constructed in two phases. First, a metal frame was 3D printed using a robotic fabrication process. To reinforce the frame afterward, thin carbon and glass fibers were wound around the frame in a web-like form.
Topology optimization software, which enables designers to create durable, lightweight components, allowed the team to minimize the weight of the structure.
The article reports that the bridge presents a more cost, material, and energy efficient way of manufacturing a pedestrian bridge compared to traditional methods.
The pedestrian bridge can safely bear over 20 people and spans 11.4 meters in length, according to the article. It was designed a part of the DigitalFUTURES International 2019 summer workshop at Tongji University.
Source: 3D Printing Media Network & ANSYS
