Comparative Review of the Technology and Case Studies of 3D Concrete Printing of Buildings by Several Companies

Abstract

This paper dives into the current state of 3D printing in the concrete industry. Currently, there are a number of companies that specialize in the construction of buildings using 3D-printed concrete. This paper looks at each of these companies and the processes they use to accomplish the creation of their concrete walls using 3D-printing technology. The literature review portion of the paper looks at several companies currently in the field and describes their methods based on several distinguishing factors such as printer type, print speed, wall design, reinforcement used, insulation used, wall dimensions, nozzle shape, and several other distinguishing factors. These factors allow for similarities and differences to be drawn between companies. The reader is able to see each company’s approach to the printing of walls. Additionally, this paper estimates and analyzes the structural and thermal performance of drawings mimicking each company’s wall design based on section configuration. This estimation allows the reader to see which wall design they can expect to perform the best in terms of stress generation and thermal bridging.

Numerical Evaluation on Thermal Performance of 3D Printed Concrete Walls: The Effects of Lattice Type, Filament Width and Granular Filling Material

“…Joh et al [39] note that when the wall and lateral supports are connected in parallel, there is a tendency for higher resistance to buckling. Companies like Black Buffalo and QOROX commonly use this wall type [40].…”

“…Lastly, the third wall structure (P) is an innovative cob design adopted from the literature of Bello and Memari [40], who conducted an extensive review of the current state of 3D printing in the concrete industry. They looked at several companies currently in the additive manufacturing space and their approaches to the creation of 3DPC walls, including wall design.…”

Investigating the Integrity and Failure Characteristics of Deteriorated Polymeric 3D-Printed Components as Candidates for Structural and Construction Applications

“…However, FFF employs an additive manufacturing approach, where material is deposited only where needed. This minimizes waste, making the process more environmentally sustainable [79].…”

A Novel Approach for 3D Printing Fiber-Reinforced Mortars

“…The process usually consists of a mixture of cement, water and aggregate that is extruded through a custom print head and deposited in a precise manner to form the desired shape [ 8 ]. The 3D-printed structures can have exceptional strength (compression and tensile) and durability, making them suitable for various uses in construction and infrastructure applications [ 9 , 10 ]. When compared to the traditional construction methods, this technique offers several benefits including the ones mentioned above and the possibility to create unique and intricate designs, as well as the ability to print integrated components like electrical and plumbing systems directly into the structure [ 11 , 12 ].…”