Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi University’s (ADU) College of Engineering (CoE) has inaugurated a 3D Concrete Printing Research Lab on its Abu Dhabi campus as part of its ongoing efforts to provide students with unique learning opportunities. The lab features advanced 3D printing technologies for the prototyping of concrete structures. The technology enables the creation of intricate shapes and designs that are difficult to achieve using traditional construction methods.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by ADU’s senior management team, including Professor Ghassan Aouad, Chancellor, Dr. Hamad Odhabi, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Thomas Glas-Hochstettler, Provost, Prof. Philip Hamill, Associate Provost for Research, Dr. Hamdi Sheibani, Dean of the College of Engineering, Dr. Samer Al Martini, and Dr. Reem Sabouni.
The lab provides students with state-of-the-art 3D printing equipment, including the 3D Concrete Gantry Lab printer. The printer, the first of its type in a university lab in the UAE, can produce various lab-scale concrete structural elements in different shapes and sizes.
Professor Ghassan Aouad, Chancellor of Abu Dhabi University (ADU), commented that “The 3D Concrete Printing Lab represents a significant step forward in the field of construction technology. With this facility, we seek to provide our students and faculty with the tools and resources to explore new ideas and push the boundaries of what is possible in this field. At ADU, we maximise our innovation efforts to provide students, faculty, and the wider UAE community with sustainable and inclusive solutions to industry-focused challenges.”
“Additionally, we aim to provide a well-rounded educational experience and the latest innovative technologies to develop our students’ futuristic skillset and prepare a generation of researchers and innovators,” Prof. Aouad added.
The Lab will also contribute to ADU’s environmental sustainability efforts by reducing waste and material usage, promoting energy efficiency, and encouraging innovative designs among faculty and students.