Additive Manufacturing for Sustainable Construction: Large-Scale 3D Printing of Buildings

EasyChair Preprint 14211

Abstract

The construction industry, a major contributor to environmental degradation, is undergoing a transformative shift with the advent of additive manufacturing technologies. Large-scale 3D printing, a subset of additive manufacturing, offers innovative solutions for sustainable construction by minimizing material waste, reducing carbon emissions, and enhancing the efficiency of building processes. This technology enables the use of sustainable materials, such as recycled plastics and bio-based composites, and supports the creation of complex architectural designs with improved resource efficiency. Additionally, 3D printing in construction can significantly decrease construction times and labor costs, while also providing opportunities for on-site fabrication and customization. This abstract explores the potential of large-scale 3D printing in advancing sustainable construction practices, highlighting its environmental benefits, technological advancements, and challenges. The study concludes that while significant hurdles remain, including regulatory and technical barriers, large-scale 3D printing has the potential to revolutionize the construction industry, aligning it more closely with sustainable development goals.

Keyphrases: Additive Manufacturing, Large-scale 3D Printing, Sustainable construction

@booklet{EasyChair:14211,
  author    = {Favour Olaoye and Abram Gracias and Peter Broklyn},
  title     = {Additive Manufacturing for Sustainable Construction: Large-Scale 3D Printing of Buildings},
  howpublished = {EasyChair Preprint 14211},
  year      = {EasyChair, 2024}}