Isabela State University, Ilagan Campus

AR 416 SY 2022-23
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APPLICATIONS OF 3D PRINTING TECHNOLOGY

AND HOW IT WORKS IN CONSTRUCTION OF
THE PHILIPPINES

Jhon Mark D. Bautista (Author )

College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology, Isabela State University, Ilagan City Isabela
Jmbautista081000@gmail.com

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Abstract

This device/technology scrutinize 3d printing how it works and applications in the field of construction. 3d
printing is a new tool that used by the architects and construction companies. It gives a quick and cost- efficient
way of building homes also it allows to make a new shape considering the size and resolution also additive
manufacturing. While the use of 3d printing in concrete is still at an early stage, efforts to adapt the lates 3d
printing technologies are being made worldwide. 3d concrete printing in construction application is an innovative
and challenging area of research which combines the knowledge of traditional construction methods with digital
fabrication. The elimination of formwork plus several other major benefits may trigger the industry to focus in the
near future especially here in the Philippines. This chapter briefly introduces the construction methods currently as
well as the background of free form construction.

Key words: 3d printing free form construction, Add on manufacturing

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I : INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

After more that years of research, development and use, three-dimensional (3D) printing in various
industrial domains such as aerospace, automobile and medical continues to grow with the addition of new
technologies, method and applications (Gibson et al. 2010, Huang et al. 2013. Vaezi et al. 2013, Chua and Leong
2014). One such methods being explored currently, both in academia and in construction practice, is the 3D
printing of concrete. Conventional construction process appears to be relatively simple and systematic,
requiring two dimensional (2) drawings and scale models (for evaluation of the building design), cumber some
formwork and much skilled labor to build any kind of free form structures. (Mass and Gassel 2005, Zavadskas
2010).

Additive Manufacturing commonly known 3d printing is an emerging technology today. 3d printers have
evolved over time from giant printers to small desktop printers that can be used from the comfort of one’s
home. The beginning of 3d printing dates back to 1986 when Charles Hull developed the first 3D printer (Price,
2011). The primary purpose of the invention was to create prototypes from Computer Aided Design (CAD)
drawings to help engineers and designers alike to test their ideas before going into mass production
(Goldberg,2014). His invention saved the manufacturing industry a significant amount of money. The process

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of 3d printing stars off with designing an object on a computer. The designed object is the saved as a “stl” file for
the 3D printer to read. The 3d printer then slices the object into various layers before it begins to print. The 3d
printer prints the final output/objects similar to how an inkjet printer will print by constructing layer by layer of
the object with the chosen material until completion.

Materials for 3d printing were very limited during the early developments of the technology. However, this
is changing as in-depth research has gone into the 3d printing industry. Plastic, Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene
(ABS) and Polylactic Acid (PLA), were and are still the most common materials used. However, other materials
include metals, ceramic, paper, bio material, and concrete (3d Printing Industry, 2014; Khoshnevis, 2004).
Another limitation of 3d printing was the production of small scale objects.
3D printing is such an innovative technology that is has revamped how construction is thought about
today. The construction industry is significantly dependent on formwork but with the emergence of 3D printing
concrete, formwork would no longer needed.

In addition to 3D printing in concrete, actual project have been undertaken using concrete 3D printers. At
lead of the demonstration of this technology is the Winsun Decoration Design Engineering Co in China. They
have 3D printed a 6-storey apartment building and a mansion in Shanghai, China (Brittney, 2015). Another 3D
printed building in the world’s first 3D printed hotel villa in the Philippines (Eddie,2015). Some other projects
which will be completed in the near future are the first 3D printed office building in Dubai (Brian, 2015) and the
first 3D printed in Amsterdam by MX3D (Duffy, 2015).

Contour Crafting

In 2003, Behrokh Khoshnevis created Contour Crafting in the first documented invention of a concrete 3D
printer. Uses a layering technique to build up concrete without the use of form work.

Figure 1.1 A concrete form of desired span and height fabricated by the CC machine

XtreeE™

In 2017, XtreeE™ prints a 3D printed wall with integrated windows. The wall was built with robotic arms
that can simultaneously work together. Robotics arms can print walls and placing window frames. This multitask
construction sequence is a technological development in automated construction.

Figure 1.2 XtreeE™ prints a 3D printed wall with integrated window frame

Icon™Build

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 J. DelaCruz, C. Ibarra/ Research Title

In 2018, Icon™ 3D printed the first building code approve house. The 3D printed houses is a one family
single story house with a timber roof. The 3D printer is a mobile gantry printer that can be transported to the
construction site.

Figure 1.3 ICON Build 3D Printed House

1.2 Statement of the Problem

The study mainly wants to assess the applications of materials by using 3d printing/cc machines.

Specifically, it answers the following:

1. What are the materials will be used?
2. Is it effective to reduce expenses to a single storey house?
3. The safeness of the house without formwork

1.3 Objectives of the Study

This research generally aims to know the process or the applications from construction method.

Specifically, it aims to assess the following:

1. Rapid prototyping using 3D computer aided design.
2. Cost Effectiveness.
3. Safeness of the house without using formwork.

1.4 Significance of the Study

This Study Significant to:

Student- currently our generations help to review the literature around 3d printing in K-12/ Universities
education and assessing the status of 3D printing in public schools.

People – cost saving in construction project due to reductions in both labor and production cost.

Future Researchers: This study will help the future researchers to properly understand its construction
application and how it works.

II. Review of The Related Literature

2.1 Introduction

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2.2. Annotated Bibliography

2.2.1. RRL 1

2.2.2 RRL 2

2.2.3 RRL 3

2.3 Concluding Remarks