Dutch partners design 3D printed bridge using FRP

A Dutch partnership involving materials supplier DSM, engineering firm Royal HaskoningDHV and supplier of large-scale composite printers CEAD has designed what has been described as the first lightweight 3D printed fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP) pedestrian bridge prototype.
 
The bridge uses DSM’s Arnite glass-filled thermoplastic PET, combined with continuous glass fibres, which are added during the 3D printing process.
 
The unique combination will offer “high strength with extreme versatility and sustainability,” said DSM in a statement 3 Sept.
 
“This partnership is bringing about a paradigm shift in the way we think about the form and function of bridges in our society,” said Maurice Kardas, Business Development Manager at Royal HaskoningDHV commenting on the new design.
 
FRP bridges are already well-known for having a longer lifetime expectancy with lower life cycle costs compared to steel bridges.
 
The new development in this partnership is the 3D printing technology which enables printing large scale continuous fibre reinforced thermoplastic parts.
 
In addition, by including sensors in the design, HaskoningDHV can build a digital twin of the bridge, predicting and optimising maintenance to extend the life span of its bridges.
 
“We know that designs previously deemed challenging or impossible to produce with other manufacturing methods are now possible with 3D printing, and we’re excited to be playing our part in this partnership,” said Patrick Duis, segment leader additive manufacturing at DSM.
 
DSM and CEAD are already in a 3D printing partnership, to co-develop FGF (pellet) materials to help the Dutch resin supplier bolster its product portfolio.
 
The two companies announced in May that they would explore the potential of the FGF printing technology in new applications for tooling or in the automotive industry.