The Indian Army on Wednesday inaugurated its first 3-D Printed House Dwelling Unit with ground plus one configuration for soldiers at Ahmedabad Cantt.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the dwelling unit has been constructed by the Military Engineering Services (MES) in collaboration with MiCoB Pvt Ltd incorporating the latest 3D Rapid Construction Technology. “Construction work of the dwelling unit measuring 71 sqm with garage space was completed in just 12 weeks by utilising the 3D printed foundation, walls and slabs. The disaster-resilient structures comply with Zone-3 earthquake specifications and green building norms,” the Ministry said.
It further said that the 3-D printed houses are symbolic of the modern-day rapid construction efforts to cater for the growing accommodation requirements of the Armed Forces personnel.
This structure also stands testament to the commitment of the Indian Army in fostering the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’.
The technique utilises a concrete 3D printer that accepts a computerised three-dimensional design and fabricates a 3-D structure in a layer-by-layer manner by extruding a specialised type of concrete specifically designed for the purpose.
Ahmedabad-based Golden Katar Division of the Indian Army has been instrumental in pursuing the project with manifold applications even in operations.
Indian Army units have already dovetailed 3D printing technology in the construction of pre-casted permanent defences and overhead protection meant for operations.
These structures are currently being validated over a period of one year and can be seen being incorporated in all terrains, the recent being in Ladakh, the ministry added.