Research

Reliable geometric monitoring in three-dimensional concrete printing (3DCP) is limited by dust, variable lighting, surface wetness, and latency-induced inconsistencies across sensing modalities. This work develops a latency-resilient fusion framework using heterogeneous non-contact distance measurements including depth imaging, time-of-flight ranging, and ultrasonic echo sensing, to reconstruct nozzle-surface distance (NSD) in real time. The results highlight the robustness of multi-modal sensor fusion for real-time NSD estimation and establish a viable pathway toward adaptive, feedback-enabled automation in 3DCP.

The objective of the study is to investigate the use of recycled construction waste in 3D construction printing (3DCP). Specifically, the proposal was to characterise the recycled construction waste, assess its suitability for 3DCP, assess the physical properties of concrete structures produced by 3DCP, and asses the recycling of printed concrete into new aggregate.

This survey covered South East regional enterprises to determine priority training / skills needs in the broad ‘engineering’ discipline area for both existing and new startup companies. The survey provides considerable evidence of a shortage of engineering skills in the South East in recent times.