Alhumayani, H (2022) The feasibility of 3D printing technology as a new construction method for houses in Saudi Arabia. PhD thesis, Cardiff University, UK.
Abstract
3D printing technology is taking slow and small steps into the construction industry. Research has shown that several factors affect the adoption of this technology in the construction sector, such as cost, environmental performance, and structural performance. The housing sector in Saudi Arabia faces many challenges, such as the construction cost, the environmental impact on houses, the high demand for houses, etc. Moreover, within Saudi Arabia Vision 2030, the Saudi government has introduced initiatives such as sustainable building initiative and building technology stimulus initiative (BTSI). These initiatives will help improve the current challenges in the housing sector. However, there is a lack of studies regarding the environmental, economic, and social perception of 3D printing technology in large-scale buildings worldwide in general and specifically in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, this research aims to investigate the potential of leveraging 3D printing technology as a new construction method in Saudi Arabia. A comprehensive investigation is employed to compare 3D printing technology and conventional construction methods. It includes environmental, economic, and social aspects, taking into account achieving the highest level of sustainability in the housing sector. To achieve the aim and objectives of this research, first, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is utilised to evaluate and compare the environmental performance of conventional and 3D printing technology construction methods. Second, cost analysis is performed to assess the economic aspect of both construction methods. Third, to examine the social aspect, Diffusion Innovations Theory (DIT) is used to investigate the adoption of 3D printing technology among professionals (Architects and Civil Engineers) in the construction sector in Saudi Arabia using an online survey. The analysis demonstrated that 3D printing technology construction methods had a better environmental and economic impact than conventional construction methods. The online survey analysis revealed that all attributes of DIT (Relative Advantage, Compatibility, Complexity, Observability, and Trialability) supported the adoption of 3D printing technology among Saudi Arabian professionals. Additionally, trialability, Relative Advantage, and Observability had scored the highest attributes that professionals think will affect adoption. The overall findings of this research indicate that 3D printing technology would to be an excellent choice method to be adopted in the construction sector in Saudi Arabia from environmental, economic, and professional's aspects.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | sustainability; building technology; construction cost; environmental impact; life cycle; sustainable building; Saudi Arabia; cost analysis; environmental performance; construction method; innovation |
| Index terms: | cost analysis, building technology, 3D printing, face, life cycle assessment, survey, construction method, civil engineer, sustainable building, economic impact, environmental impact, construction sector, complexity, housing, social aspect, relative advantage, environmental performance, Saudi Arabia, life cycle, construction cost, architect, trialability, investigation, construction industry |
| Subjects: | sociology, industry analysis, systems engineering, data collection methods, profession, engineering systems, value management, financial and cost management, sustainability assessment, Geography, sustainable construction, building construction, financial analysis, construction type, manufacturing, environmental impact, innovation studies, psychology |
| Topics: | Engineering Principles, Geographical Context, Project Management, Sustainability, Research Practice, Business Strategy, Cost Management, Construction Technology, Roles and Professions, Digital Applications, Site Management, Organizational Design |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here