Simply ExplainedWhat if building concrete structures could be cheaper, faster, and use dirt instead of wood molds? MIT might have figured it out.
Building concrete structures needs temporary wooden molds, called formwork. This step is expensive and takes time.
MIT researchers developed "EarthWorks" - a way to replace wood formwork with treated soil from the construction site itself.
They mix local soil with simple additives like straw, then 3D-print it into the precise shapes needed for pouring concrete.
An exciting part?
This dirt formwork is "infinitely recyclable," according to the researchers. Just dirt turned into a useful tool.
Plus, 3D printing soil makes it easier to create custom, complex shapes optimized to use less concrete.
Using less concrete is a big deal because it significantly cuts down the carbon emissions linked to construction projects.
Discovered via https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/04/22/1114350/cheaper-buildings-courtesy-of-mud/
