ARZO – 3D PRINTING WITH WASTE FROM MARBLE QUARRIES

The challenge of disposing of large quantities of stone waste from quarries is a reality: in Ticino, this rock flour can reach 40% of the total production. To counteract this problem, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH) and the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI) have developed a 3D printer to produce customizable architectural elements from waste.

A case study demonstrates that this 3D printing process can be used to fabricate an optimized floor system. A discrete assembly of a structurally optimized funicular floor was realized with byproduct material derived from stone extraction activities of a marble quarry in Ticino (Cava di Arzo). The printing setup was installed directly inside the quarry next to the location where the waste material is stored.

The project provides a real-life demonstration of how the 3D printing of complex structural shapes can not only reduce the total consumption of construction material but also support the use of local, recycled resources.

The assembly will be exhibited at Palazzo Mora during the Venice Architectural Biennale (2023).

Project Partner

Digital Building Technologies
3D printer development
Dr. Pietro Odaglia, Prof. Dr. Benjamin Dillenburger

Sustainable Construction
Binder development
Dr. Vera Voney, Prof. Dr. Guillaume Habert

Block Research Group
Structural design of 3D-printed floor
Dr. Francesco Ranaudo, Dr. Tom van Mele, Prof. Dr. Philippe Block

SUPSI
3D-printing with local material
Filippo Schenker (Project manager – SUPSI side), Department of Environment Construction and Design (DACD), Institute of Earth Sciences (IST)
Samuel Antonietti, Department of Environment Construction and Design (DACD), Institute of Materials and Constructions (IMC)
Victor Blazquez, Department of Business Economics, Health and Social Care (DEASS), Competence Centre for Management and Entrepreneurship (CMI)

Support
The research about large-scale binder jet printing for construction is part of the National Centre of Competence in Research Digital Fabrication (NCCR DFAB)

The development of 3D printing with local quarry waste is supported by Innosuisse.

Patriziato di Arzo
supported the installation of the mobile 3D printing setup in the Arzo Quarries.

Website: https://dbt.arch.ethz.ch/project/arzo/