Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Guwahati has built a 3D-printed modular concrete sentry structure for the Indian Army which can be set up at any site within 24 hours, according to officials.
“This 3D printed sentry post is completely modular and can be transported to the construction site and assembled at the location,” TG Sitharam, director, IIT Guwahati, said.
“The innovators have designed the sentry post with curvy wall shapes and fragmented the design into 36 modules of different sizes. These interlocking modules are printed using a custom-developed concrete formulation utilising local materials,” he said.
The structure was handed over by Sitharam to Brigadier Deepak Gaur of Red Horns Division, Indian Army, on the IIT Guwahati campus.
The dimensions of the cube-like sentry post are 2.4 m (length), 2.4 m (width), and 2.4 m (height).
The total printing time of all the modules was approximately 42 hours.
“This prototype shows off the capacity of 3D printing technology for rapid construction, which can be utilised in border areas where traditional construction is challenging due to inclement weather conditions, terrain and altitude limitations,” said Brigadier Deepak Gaur.
