3D Printing - Nirman.vc puts ChatGPT to the test.

A 12-ton industrial 3-D printer is used to print concrete for the first 3-D-printed, two-story home under construction in Houston, Texas, U.S., January 3, 2023. REUTERS/Evan Garcia

Just for fun, we asked ChatGPT to write us an article on 3D printing in construction. This is the unedited version of what it came up with almost instantaneously:

“3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is a technology that allows for the creation of complex shapes and designs using a variety of materials. In recent years, the construction industry has begun to explore the potential of 3D printing as a way to revolutionize the way buildings are designed and constructed.

One of the main advantages of 3D printing in construction is the ability to create complex shapes and designs that would be difficult or impossible to achieve using traditional building methods. This can lead to the creation of more efficient and sustainable buildings, as well as the ability to construct buildings in remote or difficult-to-reach locations.

Another advantage of 3D printing in construction is the potential to reduce the amount of waste generated during the building process. Traditional building methods often involve cutting and shaping materials, which can lead to significant waste. With 3D printing, materials are added layer by layer, which can greatly reduce waste and save resources.

Joris Laarman’s 3D printed bridge - Amsterdam. Source dezeen Magazine, 19 July 2021.

In addition to these advantages, 3D printing also has the potential to greatly reduce the time and cost associated with traditional building methods. By automating the building process, 3D printing can lead to faster construction times and lower labor costs.

Despite these advantages, there are also some challenges that need to be addressed before 3D printing can become a mainstream method for construction. One of the main challenges is the need for larger and more powerful 3D printers that can handle the scale and complexity of construction projects. Additionally, the cost of 3D printers and materials can be prohibitively high for many construction companies.

Overall, 3D printing has the potential to revolutionize the construction industry by allowing for the creation of more efficient, sustainable and complex buildings while reducing waste and costs. However, more research and development is needed to overcome the challenges and make it more accessible to the industry.”

3D Printing building at work courtesy PERI systems

I must admit to being seriously impressed that a piece of AI enabled software could instantly come up with something this well written. However, on further reflection, the article is fairly superficial in its coverage of the topic and wouldn’t qualify as a serious thought piece. It lacks nuance and fails to illustrate its points with real world examples.

The article treats additive manufacturing as one technology, whereas there are several distinct process types under this umbrella term. These are well described here.

The assertion that ‘one of the main advantages of 3D printing in construction is the ability to create complex shapes and designs that would be difficult or impossible to achieve using traditional building methods’ is overstating the value of complexity. While it is true that the gorgeous MX3D stainless steel bridge in Amsterdam ( see Link ) could probably not have been made using conventional building technology, this is neither the most energy efficient nor the most cost effective way to build a bridge. 3D printing is more likely to have a large scale impact in relatively straightforward buildings and repetitive construction processes. 

Shanghai WinSun Decoration Design Engineering Co. unveiled five villas created with a 3D printer, in an industrial park in China’s Jiangsu province on Jan 20.[Photo/asianewsphoto]

The ChatGPT article links the adding of material layer-by-layer to a reduction of waste; this requires further explanation. In the case of 3D printed concrete structures, the need for formwork is eliminated. (see Link). The waste in traditional concrete construction is mainly in the formwork that is often made of wood and trashed once the concrete has set. A good contractor can typically pour concrete without much of the mix being wasted. So the waste reduction is not so much in the concrete as it is in the wood used to create the forms.

The time saving through 3D printing is also debatable. In the case of 3D printed concrete, you can certainly save the time required to erect formwork but after that, the laying down of material in layers can take longer overall than pouring concrete into forms. You can very likely save on labor, and the printer could conceivably operate 24/7 with minimal human intervention. 

The diversion channel of Yangqu dam.(PHOTO: XINHUA)- Many of the infrastructure applications for 3D printing in construction

Opinion;

There are many different types of activity involved in construction, not all of which can be impacted by 3D printing. Creating something on site from base materials, as in the pouring of concrete, is an obvious activity that 3D printing can revolutionize. But the installation of fully assembled items of equipment (such as generator sets or air handlers), the installation of pipework and electrical cables, the erecting of heavy structural steel elements, the installation of fixtures and fittings, are all elements that are unlikely to be touched by 3D printing any time soon.  In my estimation, 3D printing has the potential to impact no more than 15% to 20% of the cost and time elements in a typical construction project. While this is significant, it is by no means the whole enchilada!

So, well done ChatGPT but there’s much room for improvement. Writers and subject matter experts needn’t fear for their jobs just yet!