19 Mar 2026

Compressed Snow Blocks: A Proof-of-Concept Study for Adapting Earth Block Technology for Cold Regions

Abstract: Snow construction plays a crucial role in military operations in cold regions, providing tactical fortifications, thermal insulation, and emergency infrastructure in environments where conventional building materials are scarce or require extensive infrastructure to support. Research into optimized snow compaction techniques has informed the design of snow-based protective structures, runways, and shelters. This study tested whether a conventional compressed earth block (CEB) machine could be used to produce compressed snow blocks (CSBs) suitable for construction applications in cold environments. The machine successfully formed CSBs with relatively consistent dimensions (i.e., block height), demonstrating feasibility and reliability in shaping snow for structural purposes. Density measurements of the snow blocks were more consistent with ice, indicating potential viability in load-bearing applications, but suggesting that the pressure applied during production may not be necessary to reach sufficient block strength depending on its intended end-use. While mechanical strength was not assessed, these initial findings support further investigation into optimizing this new snow compaction technique, the material properties, and block durability under environmental stressors (e.g., temperature fluctuations). Additional testing and development are required to refine this approach for faster, more efficient snow compaction for sustainable construction in cold regions.

6 Aug 2021

Print Time vs. Elapsed Time: A Temporal Analysis of a Continuous Printing Operation for Additive Constructed Concrete

Abstract: In additive construction, ambitious goals to fabricate a concrete building in less than 24 hours are attempted. In the field, this goal relies on a metric of print time to make this conclusion, which excludes rest time and delays. The task to complete a building in 24 hours was put to the test with the first attempt at a fully continuous print of a structurally reinforced additively constructed concrete (ACC) building. A time series analysis was performed during the construction of a 512 ft2 (16’x32’x9.25’) building to explore the effect of delays on the completion time. This analysis included a study of the variation in comprehensive layer print times, expected trends and forecasting for what is expected in future prints of similar types. Furthermore, the study included a determination and comparison of print time, elapsed time, and construction time, as well as a look at the effect of environmental conditions on the delay events. Upon finishing, the analysis concluded that the 3D-printed building was completed in 14-hours of print time, 31.2- hours elapsed time, a total of 5 days of construction time. This emphasizes that reports on newly 3D-printed constructions need to provide a definition of time that includes all possible duration periods to communicate realistic capabilities of this new technology.