Three-Dimensional Printing of Structural Members with Shotcrete Technique: Design, Construction, and Future Directions

¹ Department of Civil Engineering, School of Engineering, Damghan University, Damghan, Iran
² Department of Civil Engineering, School of Engineering, University of the Peloponnese, GR-26334 Patras, Greece
³ School of Science and Technology, Hellenic Open University, GR-26335 Patras, Greece
⁴ Department of Civil Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom

^* Corresponding author: kontoni@uop.gr

Abstract

This paper provides a comprehensive review of the current state of 3D printing technology in the construction industry, highlighting the potential applications, benefits, and future directions of this emerging field. The review indicates that 3D printing technology has the potential to revolutionize the construction industry by offering more efficient, precise, and sustainable methods of construction. The technology offers numerous advantages, including the ability to create complex geometries and custom components, improved precision and accuracy, reduction in waste materials, improved worker safety, and potential for use in remote or inaccessible locations. Furthermore, the advent of additive manufacturing, colloquially known as 3D printing, presents prospects for the advancement of novel material compositions, printing methodologies, and cybernetic systems that have the potential to optimize the efficiency and effectiveness of the construction domain. Future research should focus on developing larger printers with more efficient support structures, improving the accuracy and speed of printing, and exploring the potential of using new and innovative materials in the construction process. Additionally, the environmental impact of 3D printing technology should be further examined, particularly in terms of its potential for reducing waste and energy consumption in the construction industry. Overall, the potential utilizations and advantageous outcomes stemming from the implementation of 3D printing technology within the construction sector are momentous. Persistent exploration and innovation within this realm hold the capacity to engender noteworthy strides in construction technology and foster heightened sustainability within building methodologies.