Table 5 Cost comparison among conventional construction, offsite C3DP and onsite C3DP
From: The cost calculation method of construction 3D printing aligned with internet of things
Compared items | Conventional construction | Offsite C3DP | Onsite C3DP | Influence on C3DP | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Construction method | Concrete is caste onsite. | Components are printed offsite and assembled onsite. | Structures are printed onsite. | The cost is characterized by both properties of construction and industrial products. | ||
Components fabrication session | This session is not included in conventional construction. In the case that components need to be fabricated, they are completed at the site or in the site factory. | In the offsite C3DP, printing is done according to the detailed design with high precision control by the automation and control technology. | In the onsite C3DP, printing is done according to the detailed design with high precision control by the automation and control technology. | The printing of components and buildings is characterized as industrial products, and thus, the cost of components shall be adjusted according to its properties. | ||
Site construction | Ground and foundation engineering | No difference in cost | No difference in cost | No difference in cost | No difference in cost. | |
Main work | Concreting | Concreting is the major part in site construction and its quality is the key controlling element. | The concreting is done in 3D printing factory instead of site | Concreting is done at site. | There is reduction in human labor cost, material cost, and machine cost in C3DP. | |
Masonry | Ordinary clay brick, bearing hollow clay brick, and all kinds of small- and medium-sized bricks are used construct traditional building wall. | Not applicable The walls are printed with cement or other printable construction material. | The walls are printed with cement or other printable construction material. | This cost is eliminated. | ||
Formworks | A large number of formworks are required. | Not applicable | Not applicable | This cost is eliminated. | ||
Decoration works | Decorative works including applying plaster on facade is needed. | The decorative work reduces because no plaster needs to be applied on façade. | The decorative work reduces because no plaster needs to be applied on façade. | The decoration works are included in printing stage. | ||
Installation | HVAC and electrical installation | Printed components are integrated with piping works for HVAC and electrical wiring. A minimum of installation is required at site. | Printed components are integrated with piping works for HVAC and electrical wiring. A minimum of installation is required at site. | The labor requirement because part of installation work is included in printing stage. | ||
Hoisting works | Usually hoisting large piece of components is not required at site. | A major construction procedure at site assembly, thus there is the strict requirement on heavy machines. | Not applicable | Hoisting works increases in onsite C3DP. | ||
Construction measures | The construction site is full of formworks and scaffolding. Repeatedly erecting the formworks is needed. | A number of formworks and scaffolding reduce. | A number of formworks and scaffolding reduce. | The cost in construction measures reduces. | ||
Material consumption | High material consumption rate and frequent leakage problems | Accurate control of material usage. Low rate of material waste | Accurate control of material usage. Low rate of material waste | The amount of material consumption reduces. | ||