Additive Manufacturing Design Methods in Construction Industry

Abstract

In this work a literature review was conducted to determine the design methods utilized in three-dimensional concrete printing (3DCP). 3DCP is an additive manufacturing (AM) technique used in the construction industry. In this technique concrete is extruded through a nozzle to subsequently build a structure layer by layer.

Several benefits are introduced to engineering through AM of which many are associated to structural variety. In conventional manufacturing techniques structural variety is often not feasible due to the limitations of the manufacturing process. In concrete construction as well building slender shapes is enabled through AM due to the ceasing of formworks.

Design for additive manufacturing (DfAM) is a collection of tools and procedures to support addressing the characteristics of AM during the product design process. The review indicates that these methods are rarely used in construction industry in contrast to the product design field. By purposefully utilizing DfAM methods architects and construction engineers can advance in exploiting structural variety to add values such as thermal performance to concrete components