Concrete 3D printing: process parameters for process control, monitoring and diagnosis in automation and construction

Abstract

In Singapore, there is an increasing need for independence from manpower within the Building and Construction (B&C) Industry. Prefabricated Prefinished Volumetric Construction (PPVC) production is mainly driven by benefits in environmental pollution reduction, improved productivity, quality control, and customizability. However, overall cost savings have been counterbalanced by new cost drivers like modular precast moulds, transportation, hoisting, manufacturing & holding yards, and supervision costs. The highly modular requirements for PPVC places additive manufacturing in an advantageous position, due to its high customizability, low volume manufacturing capabilities for a faster manufacturing response time, faster production changeovers, and lower inventory requirements. However, C3DP has only just begun to move away from its early-stage development, where there is a need to closely evaluate the process parameters across buildability, extrudability, and pumpability aspects. As many parameters have been identified as having considerable influence on C3DP processes, monitoring systems for feedback applications seem to be an inevitable step forward to automation in construction. This paper has presented a broad analysis of the challenges posed to C3DP and feedback systems, stressing the admission of process parameters to correct multiple modes of failure.