<center>https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2018/04/01/22/38/bridge-3282401_1280.jpg </center>
# A great deal of progress has been made in recent years in the 3D printing market. 
<center> </center> You can now find 3D printing in a variety of different industries, and one area that has been suggested to show great promise for the use of this technology is within the construction and infrastructure space.

# Why?
This printing method would *drastically reduce* <b>the amount of wasted materials</b> involved in the construction process; along with boosting overall efficiency of the project as far as speed and cost is concerned. And because it has the potential to greatly improve the process, it's believed that it could bring <b>more construction jobs</b> to market as a result.

With 3D printing, it’s suggested that there would be a great deal of improvement to the construction of various projects. 

This is because teams would be able to print large components of the bridge or tunnel etc, without having to cause as much of an interruption to commuters in the general area. 

<center>https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_scale,fl_progressive,q_80,w_800/iwqljzymy3cqgvtbwrhs.jpg </center>
# 3D-printing bridges..
<center> </center> In Amsterdam, researchers there have recently unveiled their 3D-printed bridge, which is described as a steel deck, measuring roughly 40 feet, that is expected to be installed some time next year. And they've already been working on the project *for quite some time*.

The building process involved having a 3D-printing robot <b>apply layer-after-layer</b> of steel (see image above). And it’s been suggested that it might be the world’s *very first bridge of its kind*, with the possibility for many more to follow in the future. 

# Is it the first?

<center>https://img.newatlas.com/3dprinted-concrete-bridge-7.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&ch=Width%2CDPR&fit=crop&h=347&q=60&rect=0%2C133%2C1441%2C810&w=616&s=fe1c7285fbd385996e99c79ce808c573 </center>

It might not be the first of its kind, as officials in the Netherlands previously unveiled a <b>concrete 3D-printed bridge</b> several years ago (see image above). That bridge was the work of a company known as BAM Infra, and the small bridge was meant to mostly be used *mostly* by cyclists. 


The 3D-printing robotics company that is behind the recent project in Amsterdam, is known as <b>MX3D</b>. And their bridge is expected to be installed with myriad of <b>smart sensors</b> that are going to be able to record valuable data in <b>real-time</b>. 

They’ll be looking to monitor things like <b>weight dispersion, air quality, and other details</b>.

<center> https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2015/08/16/20/46/bridge-891581_1280.jpg </center> 

The bridge has already been tested with <b>at least 30 people</b> and researchers say that it performed successfully. Once they are finished, it's expected that the bridge will be placed over a canal in Amsterdam. 

Researchers admit that the entire effort wouldn’t have been possible without the support from city officials, because there isn’t a specific code for this type of project. And rather than seek to have the effort shut down, researchers admit that the city officials sought to collaborate with them instead, to see the project finalized. 

There are already plans for more bridges to come soon. And various companies in China, the US, and elsewhere, are already busy 3D-printing houses, cars, buildings, food, body parts, household items, and much more. 

Pics:
pixabay
Oliver de Guljter via gizmodo
BAM Infra
pixabay

Sources:
https://techcrunch.com/2016/09/26/3d-printing-revolutionizing-roadways-as-well-as-airplanes/ 
https://gizmodo.com/the-first-3d-printed-steel-bridge-looks-like-it-broke-o-1824252512
http://www.chicagotribune.com/bluesky/hub/ct-us-chamber-3d-printing-infrastructure-bsi-hub-20150702-story.html
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/oct/18/world-first-3d-printed-bridge-cyclists-netherlands
https://www.dezeen.com/2017/10/27/worlds-first-3d-printed-concrete-bridge-bicycles-bam-infra-netherlands/

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