As 3D printing technology advances across various fields, the construction sector is focusing on technological development primarily to reduce the labor and manpower needed for concrete construction.
Here, we will review the history of technological development, starting from the 3D printing material LACTM to the latest advancements in material jetting 3D printing.
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The development of Laminatable Cement-based Composite (LACTM), a fiber-reinforced cement composite for concrete 3D printing, has enabled the 3D printing of permanent formwork over 2 meters tall.
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News Release
Shimizu Develops LACTM, a Fiber-reinforced Cement Composite for 3D Concrete Printing
- Enables 3D Printing of Permanent Formwork Over 2 Meters Tall- 
Technical News
LACTM, a fiber-reinforced cement composite for 3D printing 
Developer’s Story
From Pouring to Layering: Innovative Concrete Material That Realized a Revolutionary Construction Method
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Realizing large pillars with complex shapes and colored benches with gradated hues significantly expands the scope of design freedom
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Business Topics
Succeeding to create Massive Columns Having a Free-form Curved Surface With 3D Printing The Possibilities of ‘LACTM’ Fiber-reinforced Cement Composite 
News Release
Printing a color-gradated free-form bench in just 3 hours
- LACTM opens up new possibilities for concrete sculptures -
Examples
LACTM, a fiber-reinforced cement composite material for 3D printers, makes its debut in Toyosu - Showcasing the latest examples of concrete 3D printing made possible by LACTM
Example application in permanent formwork for pillar foundations
- Realizing 60% shorter construction periods -
（Railway construction sites）
Example application in outside bench
- Reducing material usage by making components thinner -
（Sengozawa Dam reconstruction）
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Obtained certification from the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism as a designated building material suitable for use in the main structural load-bearing components of buildings by adding a coarse aggregate to LACTM
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News Release
Improved 3D construction material LACTM and obtained ministerial approval
- Enabling 3D printing of construction structural components -
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On-site printing enables batch printing of large-scale layered structures
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News Release
Printing a large-scale structure 20 meters wide and 4.5 meters tall as-is at the construction site
- New development of Shimz Robo-Printer, a 3D printer for on-site construction - 
Example application in wall-like pillar
- Reducing the volume of the frame by 10% by streamlining the structure -
（Smart Innovation Ecosystem NOVARE Academy）
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3D printing, which has traditionally been used for creating formwork for building pillars, beams, and non-structural components, is now being applied to the production of structural components themselves.
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News Release
Printing concrete structures using a 3D printer
- Applying printed structures to actual buildings without the need for individual Ministerial approval for each building -
Example application in shell-structured roof
- Achieving a highly watertight structure leveraging the characteristics of LACTM -
（Recycling storage unit at Smart Innovation Ecosystem NOVARE）
Example application in restroom facility
- Design utilizing curved surface -
（SETAGAYA Qs-GARDEN）
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Created reinforced structural members by spraying a newly developed spray-type printing material onto the outside of steel rebar.
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By developing a mobile printer and an automated material production device, column components were manufactured on-site using shotcreate-based 3D printing for the first time in Japan.
Awards received
Japan Society of Civil Engineers Award 2023 (Innovative Technique Award)
Development of construction 3D printing technology using fiber-reinforced cementitious composites
Engineering Commendation Award of ENAA 2022, Small and Medium-Sized Project Category
Construction 3D printing system development team
Japan Construction Machinery Construction Grand Prize 2022, Excellence Category, Grand Prize
Construction 3D printing system using robot arm
Japan Concrete Institute Award 2022 (Technology Award)
Development and practical application of 3D printing technology for construction
Paper Encouragement Award at Japan Concrete Institute Annual Convention 2022
Structural performance of reinforced beams manufactured by 3D material jetting printer
Japan Society of Civil Engineers Tanaka Award Selection Committee Kakehashi Award 2021
Application of 3D printing technology to permanent formwork with free-form curved surfaces
Japan Society of Civil Engineers Award 2019 (Yoshida Award, Encouraging Prize)
Research on automated concrete construction using 3D printing technology
