Ben Harries

Name: Ben Harries

Academic Division: Civil Engineering

Research Group: Construction Engineering – Digital Roads  

Email: bh579@cam.ac.uk

Research Interests 

Ben’s research interests include design optimisation/automation, in-print reinforcement, lightweighting of 3DCP elements, and ecological enhancement of infrastructure. 

Strategic Themes 

• Autonomous construction and repair 
• Digital Twins and 3D scanning  
• Biocompatible infrastructure as a resilient green-blue-grey interface  

Research Project 

Ben’s research project is centred around using 3DCP to enhance the bio-receptivity of certain elements of highways infrastructure, in order to create a resilient ‘soft interface’ between infrastructure and the natural environment. 

Biography 

Through his career as an architect, Ben became fascinated with the potential of 3DCP for the construction of buildings and infrastructure, to the extent that he left behind his successful career, as Associate Director at a large architecture practice, in order to pursue it full-time. He has led an interesting and varied academic and professional life and is currently Head of Additive Manufacturing at the Water Research Centre, where he is helping to develop a 3D Construction Printing (3DCP) capability.  

Having worked on a number of exciting 3DCP projects, both as a manufacturer and as a consultant, Ben is helping a range of industry partners to develop products using the technology. He recently led the design and manufacture of the UK’s first 3D printed headwall for clients Costain and National Highways. The project featured a sensing scheme designed and implemented by the University of Cambridge’s Digital Roads Smart Materials Research Team, led by Prof. Abir Al Tabbaa, Ben’s supervisor.