Somerset Community College (SCC) is leading the state of Kentucky’s adoption of 3D printing technology for housing construction. The goal of the initiative is to provide affordable and resilient housing solutions that could be essential for surviving and rebuilding after natural disasters. In recent years, Kentucky and the Appalachian regions have faced devastating losses from tornadoes, floods, and hurricanes – natural disasters that seem to now regularly exceed predictive weather models.
“Over a decade ago, Eric Wooldridge, Director of KCTCS Additive Manufacturing Center at SCC, seeing what was about to happen with the technology, began the movement to bring additive manufacturing skills and education to Kentucky at large,” said Andrew Clapper, Project Manager at C3DP, and a member of the SCC team. “SCC was the first institution in the nation to develop a statewide additive manufacturing certificate program.”
3D printed housing components from Mighty Buildings.
Wooldridge and his team are now aiming to expand their efforts in AM on a grander scale. “Over the past decade, we’ve learned a great deal of valuable lessons,” said Wooldridge. “Because of our amazing partnerships with the Kentucky Science & Technology Corporation, University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, our sister KCTCS colleges along with direct support from the National Science Foundation and the USDA Rural Development, we were able to become the pathfinders in how to democratize and rapidly scale 3D printing education across an entire state. Now it is time to do the same with concrete 3D printing.”
Manufacturing on Demand
“Additive manufactured structures are exceptionally durable. The cost and timeline to build with this technology compared to conventional methods are markedly different,” said Clapper. “I truly believe this technology embodies the future of home building.”
“If we are going to rebuild, why not utilize technologies and materials that can endure floods and mitigate concerns often associated with mold and contamination? Why not move toward building structures that can make us feel safe and can last well over a century?” asked Wooldridge.
SCC’s foray into this innovative technology has garnered funding from the USDA and the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). While experts at SCC acknowledge that fully integrating this technology into existing residential building codes and standards will take time, it is already being successfully implemented in other states and countries.
“Our project aims to demonstrate how building code requirements can be met with additive manufacturing technology used for structures, ensuring they meet all permitting standards,” said Wooldridge. “We also want to demonstrate to contractors and developers how this technology paired with cutting-edge engineering applications can effectively produce affordable, next-generation homes that meet federal financing qualifications.”
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Author: Edward Wakefield
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