3D Printing Applied to Building Development Around the World (2024-11)¶

The construction industry is undergoing a transformation towards automation, and 3D printing is at the forefront of this revolution. However, to optimise 3D printing in construction, it is crucial to consider the printer’s scale, the printing material’s rheological properties, and the printed structure’s mechanical properties. This paper provides an overview of the state of the art in this field, including the promising technologies, such as D-Shape and Contour Crafting, used in building applications. The paper also compares the use in 3D printing of conventional materials, like concrete, with non-conventional earth-based materials, such as sand, clay, and mud, or combinations with cementing materials. This review highlights the need for more research on alternative materials to concrete, particularly in developed countries. Nevertheless, earth-based materials offer significant potential for 3D printing in developing countries, where they are readily available. However, further research is necessary to improve the mechanical properties of 3D-printed elements, particularly for large-scale structures, to ensure their reliability and safety, making 3D printing a mainstream building method.