Ataei, S and Jafari, A (2026) Comparative environmental impact assessment of 3D concrete printing and precast techniques in bridge construction: A case study analysis. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 152(1): 05025018, ISSN 0733-9364
Abstract
This study conducted a comparative environmental impact assessment specifically investigating three-dimensional (3D) concrete printing (CP) and precast construction techniques applied to bridge construction. Using a cradle-to-site life-cycle assessment (LCA), including both Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 2013 global warming potential (GWP) indicators and ReCiPe Midpoint (H) impact assessment methods, the study evaluated key sustainability metrics such as GWP, human toxicity, particulate matter formation, freshwater ecotoxicity, material efficiency, and energy consumption. A case study of an 8-m-long pedestrian bridge constructed using 3DCP was compared directly with an equivalent precast concrete bridge modeled with identical dimensions. The results demonstrated that 3DCP offers substantial environmental advantages, reducing total CO2 emissions by 64.3% compared with precast techniques. This significant reduction is attributed primarily to the elimination of formwork, reduced steel reinforcement requirements, and precise material placement, which contribute to lower environmental impacts across multiple stages of construction. Conversely, precast construction results in higher emissions due to heavier structural components, increased material usage, and energy-intensive formwork production and handling processes. However, the continuous operation of 3D printing equipment leads to greater energy consumption during the off-site construction phase, presenting a notable challenge. Overall, this research specifically highlights the environmental advantages and limitations of 3DCP and precast methods, emphasizing the potential of 3DCP to substantially enhance sustainability in construction through improved material efficiency, reduced emissions, and innovative design approaches. The primary contributions of this research include quantifying the precise environmental benefits and challenges associated with 3DCP, offering insights into targeted optimization opportunities, and providing foundational evidence to guide sustainable construction decision-making.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Index terms: | efficiency, case study, CO2 emissions, formwork, environmental impact assessment, reinforcement, energy consumption, precast concrete, off-site construction, dimension, placement, sustainable construction, 3D printing, particulate, global warming, decision-making, impact assessment, evidence, environmental impact, bridge construction, pedestrian, climate change |
| Subjects: | building construction, sustainable construction, infrastructure engineering, climate science, environmental impact, manufacturing, evaluation and assessment methods, environmental health, decision analysis, sociology, performance management, management, health monitoring assessment and metrics, energy systems, building materials, value management, air quality, data collection methods |
| Topics: | Quality Management, Health and Safety, Engineering Principles, Project Management, Risk Management, Sustainability, Digital Applications, Human Resources, Construction Materials, Research Practice, Stakeholder Management, Construction Technology |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCEA |
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