Andhra Pradesh to pilot 3D-printed rural homes under housing scheme

Andhra Pradesh is set to begin a pilot project using 3D Concrete Printing to construct rural homes under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin scheme, according to The Hindu. The project will start with 100 housing units in Burripalem in Guntur district and 77 units in Pothuru. It has an outlay of ₹13.93 crore, excluding taxes, with ₹9.44 crore coming from the Union Ministry of Rural Development and ₹4.49 crore from the state government.

The technology uses a computer-controlled printer to convert a digital Building Information Modelling design into a structure. Specially formulated cement-based material is extruded through a nozzle in successive layers, requiring control over its ability to flow, support further layers and set quickly. Prof.

P. Veerabhadra Rao of GVP College of Engineering, Visakhapatnam, told The Hindu that automation could alter the way housing is developed. The article said the approach could be used for affordable homes, disaster-relief shelters, remote-area construction and rapidly built public facilities.

The pilot is expected to reduce the construction time for each unit to about 45 to 60 days and reduce material waste. It may also provide cooler interiors, according to the report. However, 3D printing will not replace every part of conventional construction.

Foundations, reinforcement, roofing, electrical and plumbing work, doors and windows will still require traditional or hybrid methods. The report identified material durability, structural standards, printer mobility and regulatory approval as continuing obstacles. Wider use will depend on demonstrating long-term reliability and financial viability, with research bodies, government ministries and private innovators expected to coordinate as regulations develop.