Cost analysis of various factors on geopolymer 3D printing for construction products on factory and construction site

Abstract

The construction industry is considered as of the main natural resource consumer such as rocks, cement, clays and sand. Ordinary Portland cement manufacturing process is associated with excess quantity of carbon dioxide emission that is searching for other alternative materials. Geopolymer is a promising new material used to replace the ordinary Portland cement. Different stages are involved to produce geopolymers, function as a binder. In this research, various stages such as raw material transportation, pre-treatments, parameters selections, strength requirements for GPC had been studied in terms of effect on geopolymer production economics. Literature was used to find pre-required stages for geopolymer printing. Moreover, initial investment needed for running each stage successfully is investigated. Compressive review on geopolymer 3D printing state of the art technologies is illustrated. The cost calculation and elements needed for construction site and factory site printing were discussed and evaluated. Potential opportunities and contingency of geopolymer printing on factory and construction site is analysed. Preliminary result suggested that 3D printing technology potential increases construction industry production and affordability of houses can be enhanced in Finland. Estimated one-ton 3D printed geopolymer production cost on construction site is 418.18 euros. Transportation cost has least effect on final product cost, whereas pre-treatments of raw material and mixing parameters influenced final cost of product significantly. Lastly, research work suggested required future work to make geopolymer 3D printing a feasible construction method.