A groundbreaking 3D printed bridge design, named Diamanti, is currently on display at the European Cultural Centre's Time Space Existence exhibition in Venice, running until November 23, 2025. Developed through a collaboration between Professor Dr. Masoud Akbarzadeh and the Polyhedral Structures Laboratory at the University of Pennsylvania, alongside Sika Group, the Diamanti bridge represents a significant advancement in sustainable construction. It utilizes computational geometry and robotic 3D printing to enhance efficiency and adaptability in concrete infrastructure.
The Diamanti bridge is constructed from nine prefabricated concrete segments, each produced using a specialized cementitious mix developed by Sika Group and extruded by a robotic arm. These segments feature hollow sections and intricate patterned surfaces, which reduce the bridge's embodied carbon footprint while maintaining structural integrity. The assembly employs a post-tensioned system with ungrouted steel cables, allowing the entire structure to be demountable and recyclable. The structural logic is based on Polyhedral Graphic Statics (PGS), optimizing force distribution through a polyhedral framework, resulting in diamond-shaped surfaces that enhance stiffness and load distribution, thereby reducing concrete usage. A 2.5-meter prototype is exhibited in Venice, complementing a larger, 10-meter version that has successfully undergone load testing, confirming its scalability for practical applications. This project emerges within a global trend of 3D-printed infrastructure, with similar projects including a pedestrian bridge in China, a footbridge in Rotterdam utilizing fiber-reinforced thermoplastics, and a 40-meter 3D-printed concrete pedestrian bridge in Paris for the 2024 Olympic Games. Research suggests that 3D printing in construction can reduce material waste by up to 90% and lower carbon emissions. The Diamanti bridge project is a testament to cross-disciplinary collaboration, involving entities like Vertico for fabrication and AEVIA for post-tensioning expertise, with analytical contributions from the City College of New York and Villanova University.