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Constraints and limitations of concrete 3D printing in architecture

Chien-Ho Ko (Craig and Diane Martin National Center for Construction Safety, Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA)

Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology

ISSN: 1726-0531

Article publication date: 28 June 2021

Issue publication date: 30 August 2022

1129

Abstract

Purpose

Additive manufacturing of concrete (AMoC) is an emerging technology for constructing buildings. However, due to the nature of the concrete property and constructing buildings in layers, constraints and limitations are encountered while applying AMoC in architecture. This paper aims to analyze the constraints and limitations that may be encountered while using AMoC in architecture.

Design/methodology/approach

A descriptive research approach is used to conduct this study. First, basic notions of AMoC are introduced. Then, challenges of AMoC, including hardware, material property, control and design, are addressed. Finally, strategies that may be used to overcome the challenges are discussed.

Findings

Factors influencing the success of AMoC include hardware, material, control methods, manufacturing process and design. Considering these issues in the early design phase is crucial to achieving a successful computer-aided design (CAD)/computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) integration to bring CAD and CAM benefits into the architecture industry.

Originality/value

In three-dimensional (3D) printing, objects are constructed layer by layer. Printing results are thus affected by the additive method (such as toolpath) and material properties (such as tensile strength and slump). Although previous studies attempt to improve AMoC, most of them focus on the manufacturing process. However, a successful application of AMoC in architecture needs to consider the possible constraints and limitations of concrete 3D printing. So far, research on the potential challenges of applying AMoC in architecture from a building lifecycle perspective is still limited. The study results of this study could be used to improve design and construction while applying AMoC in architecture.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The author would like to express his gratitude for Prof. Georges Fadel’s intellectual inputs. Also, the author acknowledges anonymous reviewers for their comments making this paper more complete. The kind permissions to reuse images from the copyright owners are grateful.

Citation

Ko, C.-H. (2022), "Constraints and limitations of concrete 3D printing in architecture", Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, Vol. 20 No. 5, pp. 1334-1348. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEDT-11-2020-0456

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited

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