3D-printed modular concrete sentry structure for the Indian Army that can be set up at any location within 24 hours and can be printed in about 42 hours

Photo Credit : IIT Guwahati,

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati has created a 3D-printed modular concrete sentry structure for the Indian Army that can be set up at any location within 24 hours.

The indigenous innovation is in accordance with a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Eastern Army Command and IIT Guwahati on the development of cost-effective and sustainable defence infrastructure for the Army.

“This 3D printed sentry post is completely modular, and it can be transported to the construction site and assembled there,” said TG Sitharam, Director of IIT Guwahati.

"The designers created the sentry post with curvy wall shapes and fragmented the design into 36 modules of varying sizes. These interlocking modules are printed with a custom-developed concrete formulation made from locally available materials," he said. 

Mr Sitharam handed over the structure to Brigadier Deepak Gaur of the Indian Army's Red Horns Division on the IIT Guwahati campus. "The developed technology is beneficial for the Army because modular construction is easy to move over the places whenever and wherever needed, as the Indian Army frequently requires in the forward areas," he added.

The cube-shaped sentry post has dimensions of 2.4 metres. The total printing time for all modules was about 42 hours. "This prototype demonstrates 3D printing technology's capacity for rapid construction, which can be used in border areas where traditional construction is difficult due to inclement weather, terrain, and altitude limitations," Brigadier Deepak Gaur said.