3D Printing for Civil
Infrastructure Construction
July 5, 2018
Alaa Elwany
Additive
Manufacturing
Zachary Grasley
Materials
Stephanie Paal
Civil
Structures
Negar Kalantar
Architecture
ZofiaRybkowski
Construction
Science
2
Source: Water and Power Associateshttp://waterandpower.org
Source: Martin Turnbullhttp://martinturnbull.com
Los Angeles, 1902 Los Angeles, circa 1920
Henry Ford moment in the auto industry
3
Source: Water and Power Associateshttp://waterandpower.org
Source: Martin Turnbullhttp://martinturnbull.com
Los Angeles, 1902 Los Angeles, circa 1920
Henry Ford moment in the auto industry
Societal impact
4
USD (2018)
Year 1909 19151913 1925
$22,471 $12,999 $9,434 $3,628
~ 84% decrease
Automobile Unit Price
Societal impact
5Source: Martha Thierry/ Detroit Free Press
Average Daily Wages
$1.75
$2.50$2.34
$5
Steel Working
Coal Mining Auto
(Pre-1914)
1914
USD (2018)
Year 1909 19151913 1925
$22,471 $12,999 $9,434 $3,628
Automobile Unit Price
Construction is due for a Henry Ford moment!
6
Higher productivity in the construction industry could: create $1.6 trillion additional added value per year boost global GDP by 2%
McKinsey Global Institute 2017
Source: McKinsey & Company
Problem exacerbated in U.S. construction
• U.S. construction: stuck at the same level since 1960s
• Other sectors: up to 1500% productivity boost
7Source: American Society of Civil Engineers
Economic consequences by 2025
$3.9 trillion losses to GDP $7 trillion lost business sales 2.5 million lost American jobs
America’s Infrastructure Score:
D+
Lack of innovation in construction
8
Motorola Dynatac
1983 1999
Nokia 8210
BlackBerry Bold 9790 iPhone X
20182011
GPO 746
1974
Lack of innovation in construction
9
Motorola Dynatac
1983 1999
Nokia 8210
BlackBerry Bold 9790 iPhone X
20182011
GPO 746
1974
Labor shortage
Skill shortage / lack of expertise
Inadequate planning / scheduling
Siloed industry
Idle time waiting for material / supply delivery
Lack of collaboration / communication between stakeholders
Current Construction Practice 10
An order of magnitude increase in productivity is possible by changing how we build.
McKinsey Global Institute (2017)
A transformative approach is needed
Labor shortage
Skill shortage / lack of expertise
Inadequate planning / scheduling
Siloed industry
Idle time waiting for material / supply delivery
Lack of collaboration / communication between stakeholders
3D Printing
Merge with other industries
11
A transformative approach is needed
New, more interesting jobs
AutomationPlanning / scheduling built-in to
process
Fluid process Material and
supply in one
12
Number of 3D Printing Companies Involved with Construction
1-100
A global leader has yet to emerge
Research needs
13
Hardware & software
Industrial scale 3D printers
New materials
Design
Architectural/structural
Logistics
What must be done to enable the Henry Ford moment in construction?
Vision: 3D printing for construction
14
Enable extra-terrestrial explorationEliminate construction traffic jams
Enable unmanned military construction
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