B4- Kuzniarowicz Group E

For our final project, my group will be analyzing the applications of 3-D printing technologies in the construction field today in order to write a research paper for the final project. Over recent years, the technologies of 3-D printing have been a new and booming topic in the engineering and research fields. There have not only been advancements in availability and affordability of 3-D printing for the general public, but also the applications in which it can be used. There are a number of different 3-D Printing technologies that are currently being tested and applied to construction projects, such as the United Arab Emirates Innovation Committee’s plan to 3-D print an entire office building. In addition to fully 3-D printed construction projects, the technology is also being utilized in the creation of innovative and sustainable building materials such as concrete, plastic-based, wood-based, and alloy-based bulk materials.  Although the technology is still up and coming, breakthroughs in 3-D printing are continuously occurring. One of these breakthroughs includes the utilization of 3-D printers to create structures for a manned Mars space mission.

The breakthrough technology of 3-D printing has already made, and will continue to make, significant economic and social impacts in the world today. In the field of construction, the use of 3-D printing technologies could significantly decrease the cost associated with materials as well as simplify the overall construction process to make it more efficient.

A general outline for our final project on 3-D building technologies is as follows:

v  Abstract

Ø   An overall summary of the research, discoveries, and conclusions made about 3-D printing

v  Introduction

Ø  History of 3-D Printing

Ø  Background information about 3-D printing in Construction

Ø  Examples of 3-D printing applications

v  Topic 1: 3-D Printing and Building Materials

Ø  Fully 3-D Printed Materials

§  Concrete

Ø  Using Additives in 3-D Printing

§  Wood-based Bulk Materials

§  Plastic-based materials

§  Alloys

§  Other (moon rocks)

v  Topic 2: 3-D printing in Construction

Ø  Printing Methods

Ø  Structural Components

v  Topic 3: Entirely 3-D Printed Structures

Ø  WinSun China Builds 1^st 3-D Printed Villa and Apartment Building

Ø  UAEIC 3-D Printing Office Building

v  Future of 3-D Printing

Ø  Additional Construction Applications

Ø  Growth of Scale of Printing

v  Conclusions

v  References

1)    Win Sun 3-D Printed Villa/Apartment Building

http://www.3ders.org/articles/20150118-winsun-builds-world-first-3d-printed-villa-and-tallest-3d-printed-building-in-china.html

2) UAEIC 3-D Printed Office Building:

http://search.proquest.com/docview/1698870470?pq-origsite=summon&accountid=10559

3&4) Printing with Regolith (or other moon rocks)

http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/20140002630.pdf

http://www.esa.int/Highlights/Lunar_3D_printing

5) 3-D Printing and Rapid Casting (Concrete and Alloys)

http://search.proquest.com/docview/214028287?pq-origsite=summon

6) 4-D Printing of the Future (Future)

http://search.proquest.com/docview/1650538777?pq-origsite=summon

7) 3-D Printing and its applications (Introduction)

http://search.proquest.com/docview/1432214803?pq-origsite=summon

8) Comparing Environmental impacts of 3-D Printing vs. Traditional Machining

http://search.proquest.com/docview/1648113434?pq-origsite=summon

Comments:

Cathlene Farnelli – 3-D Printed Concrete Properties

Cathlene,

You have stated a number of very good considerations on the topic of 3-D printing of concrete but there are many more thanks that you should consider. I would look into some of the fully 3-D printed buildings that are already in existence (WinSun China, and the UAE Innovation committee’s plan to fully print a building) and consider how they use concrete in their design. I would also look into using concrete material as an additive in 3-D printing. My group is also considering 3-D printing applications so I feel that we could help each other out with sources and information. I have attached sources in my post so feel free to take a look.

Kate Flint – Daylighting Technologies in Intelligent Buildings

Kate,

Like you, I also really enjoyed AE 340 (I hope you had Hartnichek) and I feel that this is a very important topic in building design today. I am currently in the AEI senior design competition and daylighting is one of the major considerations we must account for in the design for our 17-story office building. Daylighting is important in every building from hospitals to schools. This topic is very challenging because you do not only have to consider the building automation aspect of the design but also the economic impact of a satisfactory daylighting design. I would do significant research on how daylighting technologies can reduce of and increase the efficiency of a building. The idea for your topic is very general and there is a lot of information that could be included in your final report depending on which route you take. Good Luck!