World record: Qatar has tallest 3D printed tower

The world's tallest 3D concrete printed structure has been realized in Qatar. The Qatari Ministry of Communications and Information Technology wanted to showcase its pavilion at the Doha Expo 2023 in an innovative way. Contact was therefore made through contractor KPM3 with Saint-Gobain Weber Benelux and Witteveen+Bos; innovators when it comes to 3D printing with concrete.  

Challenging planning

The assignment was complex for several reasons. Among other things, because of the challenging schedule towards the opening of the expo, but also because Witteveen+Bos as designer and constructor and Saint-Gobain Weber Benelux as 3D printing expert and manufacturer, took advantage of this record attempt to further innovate 3D concrete printing technology.

The planning was driven by the opening of the expo and the logistical challenge of transporting all elements by boat from the Netherlands to Qatar. Through intensive and smart cooperation we managed to achieve a very short lead time: within two months from first design idea to realization and shipping.

Futuristic design

The design explores the limits of 3D printing technology. Eye-catching is the interrupted circular structure and the distinctive 30-degree inclination. To realize this futuristic design, optimum use was made of the advantages of 3D printing technology. As many as 85 unique building blocks were designed, for example. Each concrete element was individually printed and only material was printed where needed for strength. Furthermore, the blocks have a hollow structure.

The result is a 3D-printed tower composed of 10 layers, each containing eight or nine blocks, creating a structure measuring 13 by 13 meters and 12.4 meters high. After review, the Qatari tower has been recognized as the Guinness World Record for the "tallest free-standing 3D printed concrete structure.

Marijn Bruurs, 3D concrete printing expert Witteveen+Bos: 'This record that we realized together with Qatar is very valuable. Especially also because we were able to put techniques into practice that can also be used on a broader scale in residential construction, for example. With the 30-degree slope and interrupted circle in the design, the structural and architectural possibilities of 3D concrete printing expand.'

Peter Paul Cornelissen, Business Unit Manager 3D Printing, Weber Benelux: 'A project like this lends itself ideally to being 3D printed with concrete. This has everything to do with the extremely short lead time, the amount of unique shapes and the constructive properties of the material used. To guarantee the constructive properties of the individual elements, Weber has developed a unique Quality Framework. This allows short lead times and large volumes to always deliver the agreed quality. Something that is essential for any structural building work.' 

Want to learn more about the possibilities of 3D concrete printing? Then take a look at www.3D.weber.