3D Concrete Printing in a Circular Economy (2024-04)¶

This paper investigates how 3D Concrete Printing (3DCP), through the lens of the circular economy and design for disassembly (DfD), could help transition the construction industry to more environmentally sustainable building practices. Through presentation and analysis of a case study design of a 3DCP hybrid slab, we propose how DfD principles can influence the design and construction process of 3DCP architectural elements by looking beyond material optimization and efficiency, to also include circular considerations. The analysis of a case study design finds that it is possible to incorporate DfD principles into 3DCP elements, while still achieving a reduction in overall embodied carbon relative to conventional constructions. Initial experiments on printed connections highlight that further research is required to refine jointing strategies between printed and non-printed elements. This gap is also identified in the tools available for circularity analysis, where it is found that quantitative measures for material circularity needs to be linked to measures for element circularity and disassembly.