BM Partners completes Central Asia’s first 3D printed house in Almaty, Kazakhstan, adhering to strict seismic regulations.
Using extra strong concrete normally used for highly loaded structures like skyscrapers and bridges, and other seismic precautions, the house is made to withstand earthquakes of 7 on the Richter scale.
The entire building, featuring 100 m2 (1076 SF), was constructed in less than two months, with the walls printed in just five days.
To cope with the extreme temperature variations in Kazakhstan the building also contains expanded polystyrene concrete for insulation.
BM Partners, a first of its kind 3D construction printing company in Kazakhstan, now has successfully completed Central Asia’s first 3D printed house.
The building is located in Almaty, the largest city of Kazakhstan, but also a city categorized within a high-risk zone for severe seismic activity according to the Richter scale.
The building has been constructed to withstand an earthquake with a strength of 7, reflecting rigorous adherence to engineering principles and building codes aimed at ensuring safety and structural integrity during significant seismic events. The building spans a floor area of 100 m2 (1076 SF) and incorporates construction techniques specifically designed to withstand earthquakes. Despite this the entire project was completed in less than two months, from initial printer set up to finalized interior and furnishings. Remarkably, the walls were 3D printed in just five days, with an additional two days dedicated to the installation of a seismic beam belt in accordance with local building codes. The reinforced concrete envelope, encircling the entire structure, is essential for enhancing the structural integrity of houses in earthquake-prone areas. The beam belt is generating the characteristic upper part of the building.
Marat Oshakhtiev, CEO of BM Partners, shared the vision driving the project: “Embracing modern technologies is essential in today’s world. Our company is committed to staying at the forefront of technological advancements with 3D construction printing within our country. With this project, our company has confidently stepped into the future, addressing Kazakhstan’s urgent need for earthquake resistant modernized, efficient and resilient housing solutions“.
To enhance the building’s structural integrity, BM Partners used a special strong concrete mix with a compression strength of almost 60 MPa (8500 PSI), substantially exceeding the 7-10 MPa (1015-1450 PSI) typical of conventional brick and stone used in Kazakhstan. This mix, comprising locally sourced cement, sand, and gravel enhanced with the D.fab admixture, a joint development of COBOD International and Cemex, allows for customized concrete formulations tailored to regional needs. Considering Kazakhstan’s extreme climate conditions, varying from minus 57 to plus 49 degrees Celsius (minus 135 to plus 120 degrees Fahrenheit), the building incorporates expanded polystyrene concrete as insulation for the walls, enhancing both the thermal and acoustic performance of the wall.
Henrik Lund-Nielsen, Founder and General Manager of COBOD International, stated: “This project once again demonstrates that 3D printed buildings are built to last, also when made in earthquake high-risk areas. We are proud to have developed the solution that enabled BM Partners to complete this project fully within just two months and using extra strong 3D printable concrete made from locally sourced materials”.
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