3D Printed Glass Bricks: Durable Building Materials for Engineers
Circular construction is a sustainable building approach that focuses on reusing and repurposing materials to minimize environmental impact. MIT engineers are developing reconfigurable masonry made from 3D-printed recycled glass, inspired by the concept of circular construction.
The glass bricks are designed to interlock like LEGO bricks, allowing for easy disassembly and reassembly. These bricks can withstand pressures similar to concrete blocks and can be reused multiple times, making them an ideal choice for building facades and internal walls.
The team used a custom 3D glass printing technology to create the glass bricks, testing their mechanical strength and structural integrity. The bricks have a figure-eight shape, enabling them to be assembled into walls with curvature.
Moving forward, the researchers plan to scale up the design and build larger self-supporting glass structures. They envision a future where glass masonry is used in temporary structures like pavilions that can be reconfigured into different designs, allowing the bricks to have multiple lives.
This innovative approach to construction has the potential to revolutionize the industry by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting a more sustainable building cycle.
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Michael Thompson earned his degree in Agricultural Engineering from Purdue University in the USA, specializing in precision agriculture and smart farming technologies. His work revolves around the development of automated systems that increase farm efficiency and reduce environmental impact. Michael is now a senior engineer at a leading agri-tech company, where he designs innovative solutions for modern agriculture.