1. Introduction (Author: Minh Anh Le)
Over the years, the building and construction industry has continued to modernize by
engaging in new technologies. The 3D printer is such recent technology that was
developed to modernize the building and construction industry. 3D printing
technology plays a critical role in the delivery of construction projects. The
technology is associated with numerous benefits in the construction industry,
including; limited labor needs, design freedom, improved delivery, and little
environmental impact. The services provided by the 3D printing technology are
aligned to the current general objectives of the building and construction industry,
which is to develop sustainable and cost-effective projects.
Traditionally, the building and construction industry has been profoundly
conservative when it comes to adopting innovation and has not successfully
improved their productivity. Nonetheless, several entities have recently started to
adopt varied innovations and technological advancements, including 3D printing
(Buchanan & Gardner, 2019). 3D printing constitutes the creation of physical
elements on layers using an automated machine controlled by a computer. The
machine gets assisted by 3D digital models and could melt metals, powdered
materials, and eject liquid elements. The phenomenon is implemented to even basic
features involved in the fabrication procedures.
For a decade, several researchers have investigated and refined 3D printing in the
construction industry utilized in manufacturing. Multiple entities have been
developed, and huge companies have emerged using technological advancement in
varied ways. The progress has projected a robust sense of anticipation. The
construction industry adopts the phenomenon as a result of various issues. The
construction industry has been faced with myriad challenges, including slow
processes, inefficient design freedom, numerous human errors, and high costs of
construction designs (Vatin et al., 2017). However, 3D printing was adopted to
provide robust freedom while designing through cost reduction linked to nonstandard models (Buchanan & Gardner, 2019). Furthermore, the phenomenon could
alter sophisticated designs to real models that surpass conventional construction
practices' capabilities.
This paper looks into the application of 3D printing technology in the building and
construction industry and strategic options for further development of 3D printing.
First, this research starts with the developing process with background information of
3D printing technology. Then, the benefits and different methods of 3D application
are provided. Following that, more practical and innovative examples are analyzed.
Finally, the research ends with challenges facing 3D printing and strategic
suggestions of future development of 3D printing in the building and construction
industry.
2. Construction industry (Author: Minh Anh Le)
Various issues experienced in the building and construction industry prompted the
development of 3D printing technology. First, the construction industry is a laborintensive sector and, therefore, a significant contributor to employment. As a result,
the industry is a significant source of a country's economic development. It
contributes around 9% of the annual GDP share and is responsible for 7-8.5% of the
employment (Wu et al., 2016). However, the industry was experiencing limited
productivity associated with the little technological innovations in this sector. The
construction industry suffered from limited technological advancement, robotic, and
automation usage. It meant that construction projects took a considerable amount of
time and engaged a vast labor force. Further, building and construction projects were
relatively expensive to implement and promote the wastage of building materials.
Therefore, the 3D building technology was developed to improve on the limitations in
the construction industry.
3. The developing process of 3D printing technology (Author: Minh
Anh Le)
3.1. A brief review of 3D printing
3D printing is any of various processes in which material is joined or solidified
under computer control to create a three-dimensional object, with material being
added together (such as liquid molecules or powder grains being fused
together). 3D printing is used in both rapid prototyping and additive
manufacturing. Objects can be of almost any shape or geometry and typically
are produced using digital model data from a 3D model or another electronic
data source such as an Additive Manufacturing File (AMF) file (usually in
sequential layers). There are many different technologies, like stereolithography
(SLA) or fused deposit modeling (FDM). Thus, unlike material removed from a
stock in the conventional machining process, 3D printing or Additive
Manufacturing builds a three-dimensional object from a computer-aided design
(CAD) model or AMF file, usually by successively adding material layer by layer
(3D Printing, n.d.).
3.2. History of 3D printing
Charles "Chuck" Hull invented stereolithography (SLA) in 1984. This is an ancient
form of 3D printing where the construction designers developed a 3D model that is
printed layer by layer into a physical and solid object. The technology process
incorporates pointing a UV laser towards a liquid photopolymer, thereby solidifying
it (Matias & Rao, 2015). The SLA printers are the most commonly applied 3D
printers from various companies like MakerBot and other companies. It was
evident that 3D printing technology could be used beyond the manufacturing
industry. As a result, Charles Hull took some of the technology patents and
established the 3D Systems Company that currently exists (Matias & Rao, 2015).
Figure 1: An ancient 3D printer prototype (Matias & Rao, 2015).
One of the earliest applications of 3D printing technology was printing tabletop scale
models for various architecture firms. The tabletop scale models were utilized in the
pre-BIM days to assist in the design process. The models were valuable tools for
planning and selling various construction projects. 3D printing technology provided a
cheaper method for erecting the scale-down models than the hand-crafted and timeintensive replicas used at the time. The developments experienced in the 3D and 4D
Building and Information Modeling were responsible for nullifying the physical
models' establishment. However, a substantial number of construction firms exhibit
their construction projects using this method. During the 1990s, various construction
organizations started experimenting with 3D printing technology. They used the
technology to print the modular elements of the full-scale projects. (Holt et al., 2019).
In the 2000s, the 3D printing technology application had one full swing and was set
to transform the whole construction industry. For more than a decade, 3D printing
has been used in several ambitious initiatives and projects in construction, including:

In 2004, Professor Behrokh Khoshnevis of the University of South Carolina
unveiled the Contour Crafting System in what’s widely accepted as the
technology’s first entry into construction.

In 2014, a full cana house built using 3D printing was completed in
Amsterdam.

In 2016, a 3D-printed mansion was completed in China.

Also in 2016, the Dubai Future built its Office of Future via 3D printing, a major
milestone for the technology in the commercial construction sector. The fully
functioning 2,700-square foot building was built by a large 3D printer that
measured 120 x 40 x 20 feet. Construction took just 17 days. (Ellis, 2020)
Further, 3D printing technology is set to be applied in other construction industries
such as disaster shelter applications. The cost-effectiveness and speed of
technology make it a viable option for disaster relief. Other technologies are also
looking into using local materials to make the projects cheaper and easier to
implement. Another future aim of 3D printing technology is to develop complete
buildings with all systems due to the ability of the technology to handle various
construction materials. Different construction companies view 3D printing technology
as one that will open a wide range of opportunities in the industry by making the
construction projects cost-effective and faster, thereby improving productivity (Holt et
al., 2019).
4. Benefits of 3D printing technology
4.1. Cost reduction and material usage (Author: Minh Anh Le)
Some of the issues that were expected to be solved by the technology included
material usage. The technology saves 30% to 60% of the construction waste by
reusing them or ensuring construction projects produce a limited amount of waste.
The technology was also set to reduce the time used to produce construction
projects by 50% to 70% and further decrease the labor costs by 50% to 80% (Wu
et al., 2016).
Compared to traditional prototype methods such as CNC (Computer Numeric
Controlled) machines and injection moulding require a large number of expensive
machines and their labour costs are higher as they require experienced machine
operators and technicians to operate them. This contrasts with the 3D printing
process, where only one or two machines and fewer operators are required
(depending on the system) to build a segment. There is far less waste material
because the part is built from the ground up, not carved out of a solid block as it is
in subtractive manufacturing and usually does not require additional tooling (10
advantages of 3D printing, 2020).
Moreover, 3D printing technology will make it possible for curvilinear construction.
Therefore, construction designs will no longer be constrained by the costs and
rectangular form processes. The ability to utilize round shapes due to the 3D
printing technology will ensure more stability and strength to the building
structures since curvilinear shapes have more strength. In contrast, rectangular
structures are generally weaker (Hager et al., 2016). Further, apart from being
stronger, the curvilinear design will necessitate a material minimum to develop
shapes with a consistent curve.
4.2. Flexibility (Author: Sruti Kc)
Another great advantage of 3D Printing is that any given printer can create almost
anything that fits within its build volume. With the traditional manufacturing
process, each new part or change in part design requires a new tool, die, or jig to
be manufactured to create a new part. The technology can design and print
building structures with hollow elements to easily incorporate various service
utilities such as plumbing and electricity (Hager et al., 2016). The technology also
allows any user to edit designs even with limited CAD experience however they
create favourite, unique, customizable new parts. This means that any design can
be built into a wide range of different materials.
4.3. Speed (Author: Sruti Kc)
One of the great advantages of 3D printing technology is the rapid prototype.
Rapid prototype design, construction, and in any case a customized fraction can
be tested in less time.
For small businesses or individuals this difference is significant. Enabling freedom
and creativity through 3D printing means that almost anything can be created
without the need of warehouses full of expensive machinery. There is no long lead
time usually associated with outsourcing complex production projects. This means
freedom from the hassle of minimal order, which makes it easy to create and
customize parts and products.
Prototypes can take weeks to build before the 3D printing industry flourish. Each
time the change was made, the process added a few more weeks. Detected
during shipment, a fully developed product can easily take up to a year to
complete from start to finish.
For small production runs and prototyping, 3D printing is the best option as far as
speed is concerned.
4.4. Competitive Advantage (Author: Sruti Kc)
Due to the speed and low costs of 3D printing, the production life cycle is
shortened. Businesses can improve and enhance the product which allows them
to provide the best products in less time
Printing allows customers and investors to physically demonstrate new ideas
rather than leaving them to their own devices as it reduces the risk of
misinterpretation or loss of information.
It also provides feedback for cost-effective market testing, to get feedback from
potential customers and investors on tangible products, without the risk of large
advance costs for prototypes.
4.5. Quality (Author: Sruti Kc)
Traditional manufacturing methods can result in poor quality prototypes. Imagine
baking a cake, where all the ingredients are mixed and blended together, then put
in the oven to bake. If this happens the ingredients are not mixed well, the cake
has problems like air bubbles or fails to bake properly. Can occur with the same
subtractive or injection method; Quality is not always assured.
The 3D printing allows step-by-step assembly of the part or product, which
enhances the design and the best quality parts / products.
4.6. Tangible Design and Product Testing (Author: Sruti Kc)
As previously described in the competitive advantages, looking at the product on
the screen cannot be compared to touching and feeling the prototype.
A physical prototype can be tested and if errors are found, the CAD file can be
modified and a new version can be printed by the next day.
4.7. Consistency (Author: Sruti Kc)
Relative to the properties mentioned above, conventional production processes
may be defective or inconsistent in the percentage of a group of parts compared
to the rest of the parts.
In 3D printing, the parts are printed sequentially. Each successive individual
fraction can be monitored, catching errors in real time, reducing the overall
number of failed parts and constantly increasing the quality of the parts produced
by the waste materials.
4.8. Risk Reduction (Author: Sruti Kc)
Due to the previously mentioned advantages of quality and compatibility, 3D
printing allows businesses to reduce their risk in production. 3D printing
technology allows product designers to certify product prototypes before
embarking on substantial construction investments that could be potentially
devastating.
4.9. Accessibility (Author: Sruti Kc)
3D print systems are much more accessible and can be used through a wide
range of people than traditional construction setups.
Compared to the large cost of installing traditional manufacturing systems, 3D
print setup costs much less.
Also, 3D Printing is almost completely automated, requiring little extra personnel
to operate, supervise and maintain the machine, which makes it more accessible
than other production systems with good margins.
4.10. Sustainability (Author: Sruti Kc)
With 3D printing, small parts require outsourcing for construction. This is
equivalent to less environmental impact because fewer items are shipped
worldwide and the energy consuming factory does not require operation and
maintenance.
The main advantages of 3D printing are realized in its speed, flexibility, and cost
benefits. For small production runs, prototypes, small businesses, and educational
use, 3D printing is far superior to other industrial methods. Therefore, 3D printing
technology was applied in the construction industry to solve the challenges of
reduced productivity and cost-effectiveness seen in the construction industry.
References
Buchanan, C., & Gardner, L. (2019). Metal 3D printing in construction: A review of
methods, research, applications, opportunities, and challenges. Engineering
Structures, 180, 332-348.
Ellis, G. (2020, August 4). The Truth About 3D Printing in Construction. From
Construction blog autodesk: https://constructionblog.autodesk.com/3dprinting-construction/
Hager, I., Golonka, A., & Putanowicz, R. (2016). 3D printing of buildings and building
components as the future of sustainable construction?. Procedia
Engineering, 151, 292-299.
Holt, C., Edwards, L., Keyte, L., Moghaddam, F., & Townsend, B. (2019).
Construction 3D printing. In 3D Concrete Printing Technology (pp. 349-370).
Butterworth-Heinemann.
Khan, M. S., Sanchez, F., & Zhou, H. (2020). 3-D printing of concrete: Beyond
horizons. Cement and Concrete Research, 133, 106070.
Matias, E., & Rao, B. (2015, August). 3D printing: On its historical evolution and the
implications for business. In 2015 Portland International Conference on
Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET) (pp. 551-558). IEEE.
Vatin, N. I., Chumadova, L. I., Goncharov, I. S., Zykova, V. V., Karpenya, A. N., Kim,
A. A., & Finashenkov, E. A. (2017). 3D printing in construction. Stroitel'stvo
Unikal'nyh Zdanij I Sooruzenij, (1), 27.
Wu, P., Wang, J., & Wang, X. (2016). A critical review of the use of 3-D printing in
the construction industry. Automation in Construction, 68, 21-31.
10 advantages of 3D printing. (2020). From Makerbot:
https://www.makerbot.com/stories/engineering/advantages-of-3d-printing/