The traditional construction method is time consuming, labor intensive and not completely beneficial for the environment. Even though the modern technologies like BIM Services provides a lot of advantages like improved communication and collaboration, clash detection, enhanced scheduling, cost management etc. it is alone not enough to deal with the current scenario of the construction industry. The sector is facing challenges such as the increasing demand for more houses, offices and infrastructure, shortage of labor as well as the quest to construct more sustainable buildings. The construction industry will have to look at more nontraditional methods of construction to give them answers. Prefabrication for instance is already becoming more prevalent with its benefit of saving time and also being more sustainable. 3D printing could also prove to have similar advantages in the future.
In the current article we will be looking at 3D printing in construction, its methods, advantages and how it can be used along with Building Information Modeling.
What is 3D Printing?
3D Printing is the computer controlled sequential layering of materials to create 3D shapes. It was mainly used for manufacturing and prototyping but it was in 2004 that 3D printing first made the leap to the construction sector. Professor Behrokh Khoshnevis of University of South Carolina attempted to create the first 3D printed wall. Since then, more and more research has been conducted and today it has come to a point where 3D printed homes are just being constructed in 20 hours!
What are the methods of 3D Printing in construction?
When it comes to the current technological advancements in 3D Printing for construction there are three main methods which are being widely utilized.
- Robotic Arm Extruder: This method is also referred to as contour crafting. It involves the creation of rails around the building ground which then acts as a structure for the robotic arm to move along in the given direction. The robotic arm then moves along the rials and extrudes concrete layer by layer. Finally, trowels are placed on the side and above the nozzle to flatten the extruded layers.
- Sand layer linked together: In this method a D- Shape 3D printer is used. This machine utilizes a binding powder to solidify a layer of material. Here, layers of sand are deposited as per required thickness then the print head pours the binder to harden the sand.
- Metal for solid structures: This unique construction method is called a WAAM(Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing) which allows to print 3D metal structures with a 6 axis robot. This robot is equipped with a welder and a nozzle that enables it to weld metal rods layer by layer.
Advantages of 3D Printing for construction:
3D printing could greatly reduce the construction time. First and foremost, these machines are extremely fast and in fact some of the more advanced ones are even capable of manufacturing 55 to 75 square-meter homes in just about 24 hours. Moreover, these machines have the capacity to work longer hours without taking breaks which makes it possible to increase the average working hours. 3D printing also reduces errors which could cost time, resources and money ultimately augmenting speed, productivity and even providing cost-effectiveness. 3D Printing is also good for the environment. It only uses the amount of material that is required and leads to zero waste. It has the capacity to use recycled materials as well as more hybrid materials which are better for the environment. Finally, the machine can also be operated on renewable forms of energy like hydro, wind, solar electricity etc. adding another sustainability factor to the mix.
BIM for 3D Printing:
As stated above, 3D modeling process can significantly improve planning, designing, client presentation etc. With 3D modeling it is possible to present 3D visualization of the building or a structure. Now the same 3D model can be used for 3D printing. In fact, 3D printing allows the designers and architects more freedom as new shapes, designs, solutions etc. can be produced. Customized Revit Family Creation Services can be used to create unique elements, facades, components etc. which, with the help of 3D printing, can easily be converted into the reality. Onsite 3D printing robots can work according to the data that has been given by BIM.For instance the data sequencing and assembly information can be extracted from the 3D model and can be used by the robot for accurate construction.
Once the building has been constructed the BIM model could also be updated to reflect the as-built conditions. Since, 3D printing uses nontraditional materials for construction it is important that they are properly managed and using the intelligent 3D model makes it possible to do so. The data provided by the 3D model can be used to make updates, carry out repairs etc. ultimately ensuring proper operations and maintenance.
Conclusion:
There have been various examples of 3D printed buildings across the globe from the United Arab Emirates National Committee office headquarters to the Apis Cor Printed House in Russia. The 3D printing technology in construction has already exploded. There is also more and more research being continuously carried out with this method of construction and it seems probable that in the not so distinct future we will see more and more 3D printed buildings coming up.
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