3D‐printed concrete footbridges: An approach to assess the sustainability performance

Abstract

Digital fabrication with concrete (DFC) is fast becoming an attractive alternative for components (i.e., façades, urban furniture) and structural typologies (i.e., short‐span footbridges, columns, floor systems) for which complex geometries derived from particular aesthetical criteria and/or construction time constrictions are governing parameters. Additionally, some authors claim that this process allows improving the sustainability of structures, as less material is necessary compared to traditional concrete solutions, thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions linked to material consumption. Nonetheless, the environmental implications of DFC are still under scrutiny and remain objectively unquantified. In this study, a sustainability assessment model to allow decision‐makers to evaluate and compare concrete footbridge alternatives—from the sustainability perspective—including those constructed by means of 3D printed concrete (3DPC) techniques, is presented. The proposed approach is based on the MIVES method. For this purpose, the most representative criteria and indicators of sustainability identified are measured and weighted‐aggregated in a decision‐making tree. The sustainability index (SI) of each alternative is the outcome derived from the application of the model, and the SI was used as reference for evaluating the alternatives. The sustainability of 3D‐printed footbridges is quantified and compared to other concrete‐based solutions: traditional reinforced cast‐in‐place and precast concrete, as traditional solutions, and ultra‐high performance precast concrete and textile‐reinforced concrete, as innovative alternatives. The results of the analysis lead to conclude that 3D‐printed footbridges have positive impacts on environmental and social indicators, but economic indicators still need to be improved to attain a competitive solution. The approach proposed herein to assess the sustainability of footbridges can be extended to other cases and stakeholders' preferences by adapting the components of the method to sensitivities and particular boundary conditions of other scenarios.

Digitalizing Industrialized Construction Projects: Status Quo and Future Development

“…Regarding sustainability, Asensio et al [46] quantified the environmental impact of 3D printing technology and identified that, while 3D printing generates fewer greenhouse gas emissions than conventional solutions, there is still room for improvement in economic indicators for competitive solutions. Placzek et al [47] integrated 3D printing with lean manufacturing techniques, prioritizing on-demand production and bi-directional digital workflows to reduce material waste.…”

Introducing the Comprehensive Value Function for Sustainability Full-Spectrum Assessment

“…These analyses include evaluations focused on different types of structures and materials. For example, in structural analyses, it has been applied to tunnels [5][6][7][8][9], bridges [10,11], and footbridges [12,13], industrial buildings [14][15][16] or skyscrapers [17], mass housing [18], and modular residential towers [19]. It has also been used in assessing temporary [20][21][22][23], and self-promoting housing [24], as well as in evaluating the sustainability of construction materials like wood [25,26], concrete [27], and prefabricated structures [28].…”