An ambitious housing project using 3D printing has failed for the time being in the US state of Iowa. The first completed house had to be demolished after just a few months.
The project was actually intended to build 10 houses using 3D printing to address the housing shortage in the city of Muscatine. Instead of ordinary concrete, a mixture of hemp fibers and cement, known as “Hempcrete”, was initially used.
However, as the construction company Alquist3D now admitted, the material could not achieve the required compressive strength in practice. It was therefore decided to demolish the first completed house.
According to those involved in the project, a new attempt will be made next spring with an improved concrete mix.
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