With the advancing maturity of construction 3D concrete printing on a global scale, building material manufacturers are increasingly focusing on this emerging market. Presently, numerous 3D printed construction endeavors utilize a substance resembling concrete, which boasts quicker curing compared to conventional choices. However, the construction sector is now requesting the capability to 3D print using pre-existing, more affordable materials.
In the present day, an increasing number of 3D construction firms are innovating by creating their proprietary cement-based mortar formulations. These formulations incorporate locally sourced aggregates, readily accessible Portland cement, and a blend of economical additives found in the market.
Now, let’s delve deeper into the current status of additive manufacturing involving cementitious materials, commonly referred to as 3D printing concrete and mortar.
What is Concrete 3D Printing?
3D printing stands apart from the traditional bricklaying methods. Instead, “layered construction” has emerged as a novel and transformative technological option in the construction sector. This approach curtails labor requirements, minimizes waste and formwork usage, and simultaneously enhances efficiency and design flexibility.
Furthermore, construction sites are undergoing a transformation. Rather than conducting the entire building process on-site, structural modules are progressively prefabricated within controlled and automated industrial settings, subsequently being assembled at the construction site. This approach not only saves valuable time and resources but also facilitates construction advancements even in adverse weather conditions.
Currently, 3D concrete printing (3DCP) technology is actively employed across various domains, encompassing buildings, residences, architectural embellishments, and construction undertakings ranging from wells to walls. Advocates of this technology assert that it holds the potential to bring about substantial disruptions within the construction industry, provided a few challenges can be overcome.
In the following discussion, we will delve into the present-day applications of concrete 3D printing using materials like mortar, soil, and recycled substances. You will gain insights into the fundamental aspects and advantages of 3D concrete printing, as well as the enhancements it offers compared to traditional construction methodologies.
How to 3D Print with Concrete
3D concrete printing, often towering at approximately 30 feet in both height and length, are employed to extrude concrete through a specialized nozzle. These machines are predominantly available in either gantry or robotic arm configurations.
Regardless of the printer’s setup, the prevalent approach involves a continuous extrusion of a consistency akin to dough, which is meticulously deposited in layers to fabricate the intended architectural component.
Despite its name, 3D concrete printing doesn’t invariably utilize concrete in the strictest interpretation. Construction firms can utilize a range of materials for 3D printing, including various types of mortar, plastics (including recycled variants), local indigenous materials such as moon rock and Mars dust, along with conventional substances like sand, metal, and clay. In actuality, the adaptability of this technology is unlocking novel avenues for constructing in a more sustainable manner, utilizing local resources, reprocessed materials, and waste products.
Conventional concrete is often ill-suited for 3D printing due to its propensity to obstruct the printer nozzle and exhibit inadequate adhesion to underlying layers (for further information, refer to our materials section). A significant aspect of achieving successful 3D concrete printing revolves around the materials employed, as many of the available options are distinctive and some are even patented.
In 2021, the Mexican cement industry leader Cemex introduced an innovative approach to facilitate the use of standard ready-mix concrete in the 3D printing process. This was achieved by incorporating a substance known as D.fab, which imparts a pliable quality to concrete, enabling it to be effectively employed in the 3D printing context.
3D Printable Concrete Materials
In the realm of 3D concrete printing, the prevailing composition frequently comprises a cement-based amalgamation of multiple elements, encompassing super-plasticizers that facilitate water removal for accelerated drying and fibrous materials that enhance structural integrity. These components bear a resemblance to mortar, and while they offer comparable functionalities to concrete, they exhibit heightened printability and, at times, superior physical attributes. Such blends can be tailor-made for specific objectives, such as printing housing walls or crafting ornamental architectural features.
In the context of 3D printing, all viable materials must possess two key characteristics: extrudability and shape retention. Notably, most manufacturers of construction 3D printers develop their proprietary material combinations, meticulously optimized to align with the capabilities of their respective 3D printers or those used by their immediate collaborators.
Currently, these mortar formulations generally come at a higher cost compared to conventional construction cement; however, this economic landscape might undergo a shift in the near future.
Advantages of 3D Concrete Printing
Over the past half-decade, the progress of 3D concrete printing in construction has been swift, marked by significant advancements in robotics, material science, software, and the methodologies of 3D building design. This accelerated evolution can be attributed to its distinct advantages when compared to conventional construction techniques. What does it bring to the table?
In simple terms, 3D printing has the capacity to revolutionize construction by offering improved speed, cost efficiency, and productivity. Nonetheless, it hasn’t fully reached its potential yet. There’s no conclusive evidence suggesting that the homes and structures completed using 3D printing have incurred significantly lower costs compared to traditional manufacturing methods. However, builders do note that material expenses are lower with 3D printing, and the segments of buildings that are 3D printed are assembled much faster than if crafted from materials like brick or wood frames. There are also labor savings, and concrete-based structures have the potential to offer better insulation against temperature extremes and endure severe weather events such as hurricanes.
Numerous 3D printed homes and buildings have already been realized worldwide. Looking ahead to 2023, most of the planned 3D printing construction projects entail multi-house developments or even entire neighborhoods. This suggests that with scale, the technology could surpass the cost and swiftness of traditional building approaches.
The 3D printing construction market should reach a value of $1.5 billion by 2027, according to the latest estimates.
As the number of 3D printed houses, schools, offices, and places of worship grows, builders realize the promised benefits of the technology, namely:
- Lower materials consumption since wall structures can be topologically optimized and partially hollow
- Less waste, no need for large-scale concrete molds or formwork
- Faster building times when compared to laying bricks or concrete molding
- Greater degree of design freedom, able to produce geometries (curves, hollowness, etc.) traditional concrete molding can’t
- Higher productivity (it can print 24/7)
- Lower need for labor
Further developments in technology will push material consumption ever lower as better materials and printers will be able to create more complex and structurally sound geometries that aren’t currently possible.
However, the 3D concrete printing industry faces challenges it must overcome before widespread adoption is possible. These include:
- High initial investment cost (printers and related tech)
- Limitations in print size (mostly vertically)
- Limited selection of materials
- High technical expertise required to operate and maintain printers
- Surface finish of printed elements can be visually unappealing
- Building code hurdles
Although 3D printing does cut the need for skilled labor, the workers that are needed must have a much higher degree of training and education. Additionally, tasks such as installing plumbing and electrical will continue to require human workers and they’ll need to adapt their processes to the new structures.
While 3D printed homes and structures garner considerable attention today, the concrete 3D printing market is still in its developmental stages. However, there is a strong projection that it will transition into the mainstream within the upcoming decade, particularly in nations grappling with labor shortages and housing deficits. An illustrative case is Dubai, which has set a goal to incorporate 3D printing in a quarter of its buildings by 2030. This strategic initiative, endorsed by the country’s Prime Minister and Ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, seeks to significantly curtail construction expenses by 50% – 70%, reduce labor costs by 50% – 80%, and decrease construction waste by up to 60% through the utilization of 3D concrete printing technologies.
Conclusion
3D concrete printing is witnessing rapid advancements driven by innovations in robotics, material science, software, and design methodologies. While the technology holds the promise of transforming the construction industry in terms of speed, cost efficiency, and productivity, it’s still in a phase of development. Although 3D printed homes and buildings have made headlines, the concrete 3D printing market is poised to mature and enter the mainstream over the next decade. This trajectory is particularly pronounced in countries dealing with labor shortages and housing challenges, such as Dubai’s ambitious goal to integrate 3D printing into a significant portion of its buildings by 2030. As the technology continues to evolve and scale, its potential to revolutionize construction practices, reduce costs, and enhance sustainability becomes increasingly evident, opening new avenues for innovative and efficient building solutions.