A team of researchers in China have carried out a new experiment to test how well a 3D printed concrete house can withstand earthquakes. The trial took place at the Institute of Engineering Mechanics of the China Earthquake Administration in Sanhe, Hebei Province, where a scaled model of a real 3D printed home was subjected to a series of increasingly powerful simulated quakes.
The model was based on a house built with 3D printing technology in Hebei’s Gucheng County, which has already drawn attention as a local landmark. Many have wondered whether such printed structures are durable enough to withstand quakes that occur in the region. Researchers from Zhejiang University, Dalian University of Technology, and the institute collaborated with Lingtong Technology to put the design to rigorous testing.
The actual house itself could not be moved, so a five-meter-long model was built for the vibration table. The team ran six sets of conditions, each with seven tests, gradually raising the seismic intensity from level six to level nine, which corresponds to the most severe earthquake scenarios. Throughout the process, drones, high-speed cameras, and advanced sensors recorded every crack and shift in the foundation.
The results showed that the printed concrete structure performed impressively. At lower levels, there was no damage to the main body, while stronger quakes produced cracks that did not affect the core framework. Even at the most extreme test levels, the house did not collapse. When one ton of excess weight was added to the model, the structure continued to hold.
Associate Professor Sun Xiaoyan of Zhejiang University, who led the project, noted that the data gathered will help refine the design of 3D printed concrete structures. She compared the technology to a “transformer,” highlighting its speed of construction, flexibility of design, and earthquake resistance. Sun added that 3D printed houses could be especially valuable for rural areas, where they offer a way to overcome labor shortages while improving safety and durability.
While the technology still requires more certification and real-world trials, the successful experiment offers strong evidence that 3D printed housing can play a practical role in future construction. With earthquakes a recurring challenge in many parts of China, tests like this demonstrate how 3D printed construction could provide safer, more resilient housing for the future.
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*All Photo Credits: China Earthquake Administration