EWN Presentations
June 2024

Beneficial Use of Dredged Sediment by 3D Printing Into Nature-Inspired Infrastructure

About This Presentation

This poster highlights innovative EWN research utilizing 3D printing technology, exploring the use of dredged sediment as feedstock for 3D printing to create nature-based solutions (NBS). This work aligns with the goal of beneficially using 70% of dredged material by 2030, demonstrating the potential of 3D printing to transform dredged sediment into Nature-Inspired Infrastructure. The research focuses on identifying which sediments and harbors are suitable for 3D printing, addressing capability gaps for field-scale applications, and building a multi-sector community of practice. Successful demonstrations have showcased structures that support habitat creation, coastal resilience, and large-scale on-site printing, advancing the beneficial use of dredged sediment.

Point of Contact

Research Biologist, USACE-ERDC Environmental Laboratory

Associated Research Projects

Infrastructure design focusing solely on engineering functionality misses opportunities to realize natural resource enhancements to achieve additional economic, ecological, and social benefits. Traditional manufacturi...