Decision-Support Framework for On-Site and Off-Site Concrete Additive Manufacturing in Construction
Author
Ghaderi, Rahelehsadat
Term
4. Term
Education
Publication year
2026
Pages
90
Abstract
This thesis tackles a key early-stage question in concrete additive manufacturing (3D printing): when should a project be produced on-site and when is off-site fabrication more appropriate? In practice, this choice is often driven by available equipment and logistics rather than deliberate architectural intent, even though it directly affects geometry, segmentation logic, construction sequencing, and environmental impact. To enable informed decisions at the start of design, the study combines a literature review, interviews with industry experts, six case studies, comparative evaluation, and design scenario testing to identify recurring relationships among geometry, segmentation, transportation constraints, and construction strategy. Findings indicate the decision is shaped by the interaction of geometric continuity, project scale, transportation feasibility, site conditions, and sustainability goals. Continuous, complex geometries tend to align with on-site printing, whereas modular and repeatable systems are typically better suited to off-site production. Crucially, transportation and segmentation should be treated as design variables because they influence architectural continuity, construction complexity, and environmental performance. Building on these insights, the research develops a decision-support framework and an application brochure to guide architects, engineers, and clients in selecting an appropriate strategy early—before geometry is finalized—tailored to project-specific geometry, logistics, costs, and sustainability targets.
Denne afhandling adresserer et centralt spørgsmål i additiv fremstilling af beton (3D-print): hvornår bør et projekt produceres på byggepladsen (on-site), og hvornår er fabrikation uden for byggepladsen (off-site) mere hensigtsmæssig? I praksis træffes valget ofte ud fra udstyr og logistik frem for bevidste arkitektoniske prioriteringer, selvom det har direkte betydning for geometri, segmentering, byggeproces og miljøpåvirkning. For at støtte beslutninger tidligt i designfasen kombinerer studiet litteraturgennemgang, interviews med brancheeksperter, analyse af seks casestudier, komparativ evaluering og afprøvning af designscenarier for at identificere tilbagevendende sammenhænge mellem geometri, segmentering, transportbegrænsninger og valg af konstruktionsstrategi. Resultaterne viser, at valget ikke bestemmes af én faktor, men af et samspil mellem geometrisk kontinuitet, projektskalering, transportmuligheder, plads- og byggepladsforhold samt bæredygtighedsmål. Kontinuerte og komplekse geometrier passer typisk bedre til on-site print, mens modulære og gentagelige systemer ofte er velegnet til off-site produktion. Samtidig bør transport og segmentering ses som egentlige designvariable, fordi de påvirker arkitektonisk kontinuitet, udførelseskompleksitet og miljøpræstation. På baggrund af disse indsigter udvikles en beslutningsstøtteramme og en anvendelsesbrochure, der hjælper arkitekter, ingeniører og bygherrer med at vælge strategi tidligt i projektet—inden geometrien fastlægges—med afsæt i projektets konkrete geometri, logistik, omkostninger og bæredygtighedsmål.
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