TOWARDS CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRIALISATION: A REVIEW ON THE POTENTIAL OF CONSTRUCTION 3D PRINTING

Abstract

This research paper covers the lack of industrialisation progress in the construction industry as compared to its manufacturing counterpart. Despite having efforts to achieve benefits of construction industrialisation, it is evident that construction industrialisation has yet to attain its full potential. This paper aims to address how construction 3D printing can help to overcome these limitations and achieve benefits of construction industrialisation. The objectives of this research is to analyse industrialisation developments in the construction industry and examine how the construction industry can achieve industrialisation through lessons learnt from the manufacturing industry by bearing in mind the similarities and differences between construction and manufacturing practices. The research methodology consists of mapping features of construction 3D printing and the potential changes in construction practices as well as the possible results to the construction industry as a whole. The findings have shown that the results of construction 3D printing and construction industrialisation are highly similar in ascertaining that construction 3D printing can indeed help to achieve construction industrialisation. Through validation of industry professionals, the effectiveness of construction 3D printing benefiting the industry is optimistic through mechanisation and automation of the construction process. It is crucial to note that information on construction 3D printing is limited due to the nature of the technology being new to the construction industry, and thus changes and results stated in this paper are anticipated in accordance to existing 3D printing technology in other sectors.