QUIKRETE® and Contour Crafting Corporation dream of a world where they could automatically build residential, commercial, industrial and government structures. To make this dream a reality, both companies will work together on the development of proprietary 3D printable concrete.

The QUIKRETE® Companies provide a scalable solution for building, repair and rehabilitation projects across North America. Industries that benefit from these services include the residential, commercial, industrial and infrastructure sectors.

Contour Crafting Corporation (CC Corp)’s mission is to commercialize disruptive construction technologies, starting with its Contour Crafting (CC), CC Corp’s flagship technology.

CC Corp has obtained legal authorization for this construction technique by following the rigorous ICC-ES approval process and in strict accordance with the Acceptance Criteria AC509 (for 3D printed concrete walls).

The new concrete under development 

This concrete distinguishes itself from other mortar-based 3D printable products by its formulation. QUIKRETE® included coarse aggregate in its formulation, which allows for a specific use with CC Corp’s proprietary 3D printing system.

QUIKRETE® wants to address addresses key requirements for printability and constructability, including shape-holding thixotropic properties as well as rapid setting and dimensional stability features. CC Corp’s 3D printing technology will dispense the concrete layer by layer based on digital architectural models.

“QUIKRETE appreciates the practical approach taken by Contour Crafting to address real-life issues that we can anticipate as we implement this game-changing, concrete-printing technology,” said Chuck Cornman, Chief Technology Officer at The QUIKRETE Companies. “The material properties needed for 3D concrete printing are closely aligned with QUIKRETE’s core technologies in rheological tuning, hydration and set time control, and managing dimensional stability.”

In just a few days and for a less expensive cost than traditional construction, both companies aim to provide low-income housing and homes for disaster relief. After several tests, an independent accredited lab at the University of Southern California confirmed AC509 compliance of the concrete and the 3D printing technology.

The 3D printing process will now be leveraged in real-life situation as part of the construction of four low-income housing units. The housing units are built as part of a demonstration project sponsored by the Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA).

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