“The Game-Changing Tech Reshaping Construction Industry”
As technology advances around the world, the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) one of the institutes in Pakistan considers the need of keeping up with technological growth. The state is currently experiencing difficulties in a variety of areas as a result of the PKR depreciation against the US dollar. The construction industry, Pakistan's second-largest employer and a substantial contributor to GDP is also one of the businesses affected by rising material prices (Pakistan Construction Industry Report 2022: Commercial, Industrial, Infrastructure, Energy and Utilities, Institutional and Residential Market Size, Trends and Forecasts, 2017-2021 & 2022-2026 - ResearchAndMarkets.com, 2022).
Additionally, there is a 10 million housing shortfall, which is anticipated to grow to 13 million by 2025, and 3D concrete printing technology is a potential answer to this catastrophe. Further, the report notes that Pakistan is a developing nation with an expected 92% growth in the construction sector, which accounts for 2.53% of the nation's total GDP. As a result, there is increased pressure on the sector to boost productivity due to the country's growing population (Desk, 2023).
The researchers from (NUST) developed the country's first 3D concrete printer, which can alleviate many of the industry's challenges. The development of this particular technology is to address the challenges that traditional construction methods face such as low productivity, high costs, and construction waste (Staff, 2023).
The auspicious 3D concrete printing technology is a possible solution as it will reduce construction costs by 40% to 50%. One of the positive points of this concrete printer is its low cost, which is due to its availability of materials in the local market. Nonetheless, the difficult part was that it required multidisciplinary knowledge and skills, as well as considerable study while in development, encompassing numerous fields such as civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering, which results in effective solutions (Admin,2023).
The 3D concrete printer results in providing multiple solutions to the construction industry:
- Energy efficient.
- Design Flexibility.
- Reduced labor effort.
- Increased Productivity.
- Safer construction work.
- Topological Optimization.
- Highly precise deposition.
- Greater research potential.
- High-end technology-based jobs.
- Promising methodology & output.
- Cost-effective mass housing solution.
- The balance between beauty, form & function.
- Multifunctionality of structural/architectural elements.
According to NUST, 3D concrete printing will use the same ingredients as conventional concrete, but the difference will be in the rheological properties (the behavior of fluids under mechanical loading when subjected to a load) of printed specimens, which will be enhanced by providing extrudability, buildability, pump ability, and interlayer bonding. The functionality of this printing works with the frame of 3-axis movement controlled by servos and gearboxes, a variety of nozzles, continuous intake capacity, screw extrusion, and a digital control system. This can help in printing different architectural and structural shapes of components (Admin,2023).
In the face of numerous challenges, the country is grappling with a myriad of crises, ranging from economic instability to social issues and security concerns. Pakistan possesses an inherent potential to transform its current state by creating innovative solutions that pave the way for progress, in addition, emerge as a nation that overcomes obstacles to the problems it faces. However, among these turbulent times, there is an underlying resilience and determination that gives hope for a brighter future.
References:
Pakistan Construction Industry Report 2022: Commercial, Industrial, Infrastructure, Energy and Utilities, Institutional and Residential Market Size, Trends, and Forecasts, 2017-2021 & 2022-2026 - ResearchAndMarkets.com. (2022, October 10). Pakistan Construction Industry Report 2022: Commercial, Industrial, Infrastructure, Energy and Utilities, Institutional and Residential Market Size, Trends, and Forecasts, 2017-2021 & 2022-2026 - ResearchAndMarkets.com | Business Wire. Available at: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221010005565/en/Pakistan-Construction-Industry-Report-2022-Commercial-Industrial-Infrastructure-Energy-and-Utilities-Institutional-and-Residential-Market-Size-Trends-and-Forecasts-2017-2021-2022-2026---ResearchAndMarkets.com#:~:text=4%20trillion%20(US%248.5%20billion,between%20January%20and%20April%202022.
Desk, S. W. (2023, March 4). NUST researchers successfully develop Pakistan&rsquo’s first 3D concrete printer. Available at: https://www.samaaenglish.tv/news/40028679
Staff, M. N. (2023, March 4). NUST’s Structural Engineering Dept develops Pakistan’s first 3D Concrete printer. Available at: https://mmnews.tv/nust-develops-pakistans-first-3d-concrete-printer/
Author, G. (2022) Construction Industry of Pakistan – latest trends and opportunities as per PACRA, ProPakistani. Available at: https://propakistani.pk/2022/08/04/construction-industry-of-pakistan-latest-trends-and-opportunities-as-per-pacra/
Admin, (2023) NUST researchers developed Pakistan’s first 3D concrete printer. Available at: https://researchblog.nust.edu.pk/pakistans-first-3d-concrete-printer-developed-by-nust/