This article is part of a blog series, in which you can find out how 3D printing is used in building replacement parts and components that are needed at the construction site, such as replacing broken parts on construction equipment. We have all heard the buzz around 3D printing in the last ten years but is it merited?

Although 3D printing technology was developed for product prototyping purposes, it is now a key player in a variety of industries such as medical, aerospace, and tool-making.

It is now emerging in the construction sector.

With 3D printers now able to print walls and process cement, the technology could transform construction as we know it. But is it a key long-term solution?

How did 3D printing come about?

3D printing started in the mid-1980s with stereolithography, or SLA, a high-powered laser that turns a liquid resin into a solid material. SLA builds a product layer-by-layer, which makes it an additive technology. It is still the most popular 3D printing technology, even today.

Since then, many more type of 3D printing have come on the market, including:

• selective laser sintering (SLS),
• fused deposition modeling (FDM), and
• direct metal deposition (DMD).

3D printing has evolved to be used in building information modeling (BIM) by architectural firms to build scale models. It has now been used in more resourceful construction projects. Some examples include:

• Wall printing was introduced in early 2000, it has since been extensively accepted into construction.
• A canal house was constructed by various parties researching the possibilities of 3D printing in architecture using a fused deposition modeling printer developed by DUS architects call the Kamermaker (Room builder). They collaboratively connected design, science, culture, building, software, communities, and the city. The project was initiated by DUS architects in Amsterdam North, it opened to the public on March 1, 2014.
• In 2016 HuaShang Tengda a Chinese architecture firm designed and built, completely on-site in 45 days, a 3D-printed mansion, while other 3D-printed structures were manufactured at separate facilities and assembled on-site later. The company created an entirely new print-process technology that utilizes concrete specifically for the job. Before starting the machine, a construction team installed the building’s frame, including rebar support and the home’s plumbing.
• Many construction companies are entering into partnerships with 3D printer providers for constructing homes using 3D printing technology. For instance, in March 2021, 3Strands partnered with ICON, a construction technology company. Through this partnership, the former company planned to leverage the 3D printing technology of ICON to develop two- to four-bedroom homes in Texas, one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S.

The Growth of 3D Printing in Construction

According to the Grand View Research report the global 3D printing construction market size was valued at USD 11.3 billion in 2021 and is projected to register a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 100.7% from 2022 to 2030.

Building construction businesses are increasingly using 3D printing and green construction methods to reduce costs and build energy-efficient buildings.

According to the World Green Building Trends Survey 2018, around 47% of the surveyed businesses planned that they would build about 60% of their projects using green technology by 2021. The market is projected to grow due to the increasing adoption of building information modeling (BIM).

The growing construction sector in emerging countries, high emphasis on eco-friendly practices, and the need for affordable housing solutions are expected to drive the market growth over the forecast period.

Governments of different countries and regional authorities & organizations are encouraging innovation such as 3D printing. In addition, some are also encouraging innovation through developments across public infrastructure and legislation, which will increase adoption.

Capital investment associated with 3D printing construction is expected to hinder the market growth because of:

• the materials used in commercial and industrial 3D printers are expensive compared to those used in traditional construction processes.
• material constraints,
• limitations of the machinery,
• concerns related to intellectual property
• lack of skilled labor, and
• The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic adversely affected the growth of the global market.

Construction Method Insights

The global market has been further segmented into extrusion, powder bonding, and other (additive welding).

Extrusion 3D printing is also known as Fused Deposition Modeling, which is one of the additive manufacturing techniques used for prototyping, modeling, and production applications.

The powder bonding segment is anticipated to register significant growth over the forecast period. The demand for this method is high as it is faster, simpler, and more accurate to produce a complex framework. This method is:

• less labor-intensive and
• less time-consuming.

3D printing in the construction industry is used for constructing complex building structures using modeling software programs.

In Conclusion

The implementation of 3D printing technology offers high accuracy, improved efficiency, reduced labor cost, and greater speed.

The growing adoption of 3D printers in the construction sector for prototyping, designing, & creating accurate end products and reducing manufacturing expenditure is driving the market growth.

A rise in the adoption of green projects globally is also one of the major factors accentuating the market growth.

3D concrete printing is more and more used as an alternative to conventional concrete construction to reduce cost, labor, and time, and increase productivity.

Metal 3D printing is mainly used for designing façade nodes and other connections. It also offers opportunities to create:

• internal stiffening,
• non-prismatic sections,
• openings, and
• functionally graded elements, through controlled heating and cooling.

The 3D Printing market in construction is here to stay and will grow fast

Implementing BIM can be daunting, but Driving Vision is here to help you at the pace you are comfortable with. Get started by getting in touch now