In a landmark achievement for Indian deeptech and defense infrastructure, Simpliforge Creations, in collaboration with IIT Hyderabad and the Indian Army, has successfully constructed the world’s highest on-site 3D printed structure. Built at an altitude of 11,000 feet in Leh, Ladakh, under Project PRABAL, the protective military bunker marks a first-of-its-kind innovation globally in high-altitude 3D construction.
The project was executed under the leadership of Prof. K.V.L. Subramaniam from IIT Hyderabad, with critical contributions from Arun Krishnan, an Indian Army representative and PhD student at IIT-H. The team overcame High Altitude Low Oxygen (HALO) conditions to complete the structure in just 14 hours of printing time, using a specialized concrete mix developed to withstand the region’s extreme environment.
Simpliforge CEO Dhruv Gandhi highlighted the operational challenges of the project, including reduced oxygen levels, lower power system performance, and harsh climatic conditions like low humidity and high UV exposure. Despite these hurdles, the team completed the structure in five days, demonstrating the agility and robustness of their mobile robotic printer system.
Prof. Subramaniam emphasized the importance of material innovation, revealing that the concrete mix was designed to function in extreme altitudes with significant thermal variation. Rigorous testing was conducted on local materials at IIT Hyderabad’s advanced research facilities to ensure strength, durability, and resilience of the structure under real-world stress conditions.
Arun Krishnan noted that the idea for Project PRABAL was born during his M.Tech program at IIT-H. Previous attempts by other teams to deploy 3D printing technology in Ladakh had failed due to the harsh terrain, but the combined expertise of Simpliforge and IIT Hyderabad finally made it a reality. The structure has since undergone rigorous trials, proving its utility for defense applications.
Hari Krishna Jeedipalli, Managing Director of Simpliforge, called the project a major milestone in the company’s journey. From building India’s first 3D printed bridge to the world’s first 3D printed place of worship, the firm has consistently pushed the boundaries of additive construction. He added that the experience gained from printing in Ladakh would be invaluable as they explore future applications in remote terrains—and even on the Moon and Mars.
.JPG)
0 Comments