Following Hyperion’s presentation during Yorkshire Water’s Net Zero Workshop, Mott Macdonald Bentley (MMB) has reached out to Hyperion to understand in a practical manner how 3D printing could be applied to reduce the embodied carbon associated with its concrete construction. The result of this discussion has led MMB to order 4 drawpits for Yorkshire Water’s largest sewage treatment works in Esholt, near Leeds.
The drawpits, which meet Eurocode standards for structural engineering, have been positioned to allow for cabling to be installed from a new motor control centre leading to a set of newly-refurbished deep bed sand filters and the site’s backwash pumping station. Together, the equipment combines to control and ensure high-quality water filtration on-site. The 3D-printed design has resulted in a 40 per cent reduction in embodied carbon when compared to a conventional, in-situ drawpit.
In addition, the project was delivered within a record time whilst incorporating last minute changes while meeting the strict Eurocode standards for structural engineering. The drawpits have been designed to Eurocodes and approved by MMB’s structural engineers. Finally, the client was able to save 35% on the overall cost of construction thanks to the accelerated site program and manufacturing cost savings.
“It’s exciting to see this 3D concrete printed structure and we are looking forward to seeing how we can develop further applications for expanding its use across our Capital Programme. We’d like to thank MMB, Hyperion Robotics and Tarmac for the work they have put in to bring this together. We are always looking at innovative new technologies to help us reduce our carbon footprint as we continue our journey to net zero.”
Partner: Tarmac, Mott MacDonald Bentley | MMB and Yorkshire Water
Accomplished: Design and production of 4 bespoke drawpits
Time: 2 months
Year: 2023
Location: Esholt, the UK
