Exploring the Development Status and Prospects of 3D Printed Construction Technology

Abstract

Environmental, economic, and social pressures on the construction industry make it paradigm-shifting. The traditional construction methods are undergoing mounting problems in terms of resource scarcity, excessive energy use, and the generation of waste, which are demanding solutions. The history and future of 3D printed construction technology (C3DP) are of interest to this paper, as the technology has become a disruptive technology that can transform the art of architecture and construction. The technical concepts, case studies, and the difficulties of regulation are reviewed through the qualitative literature analysis. As evidenced by two case studies, the Milestone Project of the Netherlands and the Chicon House of the United States, C3DP can cause housing to be cheaper, faster, and more sustainable, and the issue of partial automation, long-term resistance, and code standardization has been identified. C3DP has been discovered to have colossal advantages concerning planability, productivity of projects, as well as environmental friendliness, and its extensive use requires homogeneity of materials, regulatory flexibility, and economic sustainability. Of course, at present, 3D printed buildings are still in the transitional stages. Nevertheless, it incorporates digital technologies, materials with low carbon, and global housing programs, which will be an opportunity for a more sustainable and innovative future of the construction industry.