3D‐Printing with Steel: Additive Manufacturing of a Bridge in situ

Abstract

Abstract Additive manufacturing (AM) plays an increasing role in the production of complex structures in steel construction. Robot‐guided Gas Shielded Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), known as Wire and Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM), is suitable for this purpose. At TU Darmstadt, a small pedestrian bridge in shell form was designed. It was completely additively manufactured on site with a welding robot over a creek. This paper presents selected aspects of this project. The focus is particularly on the preliminary strength investigations carried out and the process sequences required for homogenous manufacturing. The paper concludes with a consideration of the implementation on site.