Totally agree. That is one reason that I hinted at these being an issue. The next generation printers will really be a big leap forward.

Keep watching! More to come!

Thank you!

Thank you!

Seth Thanks for the encouraging message and I understand your concern. I personally don't think any of the 3D printing groups out there are unscrupulous. I think they are all doing the best they can to bring new solutions to our industry and I think these methods that they are developing can be helpful. At a minimum, they show us what is possible and also where things can be improved. I love your honesty on your podcast. Let's keep the discussions going and work together to make this industry better.

Thanks! More videos coming!!!

Plumbing is done in the slab like conventional construction. Electrical is tied into the rebar cage with conduit boxes or it can be placed in the insulation.

See my comment below. I love precast concrete. I have done a ton with it but you have to have specialized forms and it is not cheap to haul the pieces to the site and place them with a crane.

Thanks for staying with us!

3D sounds good, has it’s advantages, really would like to see an ICF building with all the insulation on the exterior ( inside wall can be thin enough for wiring and Sheetrock or plaster) so the concrete is internal (thermally), protected from the weather like part of the family (should last hundreds of years with the right formulation and basalt rebar to prevent rust damage) and acts like a huge thermal load to stabilize inside temps. Results would would be super strong, fireproof (rock wool exterior insulation), easily airtight if done properly, easily disaster proof if properly done. I’m honestly a layperson with just a strong interest, any issues that I need to overcome with this, please let me know. I would be eager to address the challenge. Love your videos and your enthusiasm really charges me up!

Khalid - I think you will be surprised at how fast this will be.

@@Wild_Bill57 I think you got the vision! There are a lot of details to figure out. We are going to need some help. Keep watching for more videos where I will bring up the challenges.

Thanks!

Thanks!

You still have to come back and place rebar and fill the blocks with concrete. The new printers can place concrete up to 16" high in one pass and around rebar. This will be much faster than block.

Thanks! You could do insulation in the middle but there are some details that need to get figured out. I think this is a good idea! You can do the electrical in PVC conduits with boxes that are cast at the surface of the concrete. This is already done with barrier wall lights on highways. AEC is cool when it is done right. You could also route into the concrete if you needed to but it would be a lot of work.

I agree. You get your insulation as a byproduct. If you use a crystalline admixture like xypex or kryton your waterproofing is mostly done (assuming someone does a legit weep test against the ICF ties). No 2x4 framing necessary as the ties are your wall panel attachment points inside and outside. If you do the floors and the roof with a concrete deck forming material like QuadDeck or BuildDeck, you have a phenomenally strong, disaster resistant building. You still have to deal with creating a termite barrier at any openings or connections to wood.

Thanks for the comment! I agree that right now ICF is currently superior. This is one reason I tried to hint that cost and labor are not there yet with 3D printing. However, the next generation of printers is going to really open things up. We printed our building in 14h with < $2k in rented equipment. Around here, a pump costs more than that for an afternoon. We didn't have to purchase or spend the time to set forms. This will only get faster and cheaper as the systems get better.

@@TylerLey Thanks for the follow up. As a follow up question, how do you envision roof printing with this system?

I'm a contractor that does exposed concrete homes. I think ICF borders on a con. You can get a sandwich panel wall MUCH cheaper, with a much higher insulation value and much less in total cost once finishes are done. Most people dont know you can rent commercial forms. Easy to work with even for a DYI and you get them for a month or two for the charge. Use a product like Thermomass or wire up insulation in place. A less than 8 foot wall wire is an option. I'd only use a wythe for above 8.

Making conventional structures using 3D printing - whether it is concrete or plastic - will not result in a positive business case. The key here is printing structures not possible using conventional processes.

Thanks Tim, I am a big fan of precast. I have designed a ton of it but precast has some issues and doesn't make sense for smaller projects. Precast concrete elements are expensive to ship and you have to have cranes to lift them on site. You also have to connect the precast members together and these connections now become your weak point for durability and structural loading. Precast makes 100% sense when you are doing the same elements over and over again like prestressed beams and you have a crane but I don't think it makes sense for walls, columns, or foundations. I think there is a place for both of them.

@@nicks1146 I don't agree with you. Get ready. Automated construction is going to be a game changer and it is best implemented with something like 3D printing.

@@TylerLey Thanks for the reply Dr. Ley. I believe the concerns you bring up are valid, but also mostly manageable. Modular design lends to mold reuse/repetition (and TBH, a return to form leading function like the classical orders makes this easier), modern methods for joining precast segments improves the joint situation, and I have witnessed precast columns used in both parking and human occupied structures. An example 2,000 space parking garage went up in 2-weeks out here in CA this past spring, all the columns were placed the first three days, the cross beams set to finish out the first work-week (welders joined the beams to the columns), and the decking was placed the second week. The structure was completely outfitted by the end of callendar month - I've never seen that size of a structure go up that fast. I'm not affiliated, but Peikko has some interesting solutions to the joint and column fastening and structure pain points. There are several companies producing precast foundations, both vertical wall, and footing+beam+panel floor. One of the chracteristics that can be achieved with precasting that I expect would be difficult with 3d printing is hybrid density concrete or insulated core concrete. In theory, one could do something like a multi-head extruder where one head puts out one material and another outputs... well, another material. More complicated equipment to build and run (software) is the trade-off, and that expertise will have to be earned. Nothing is free right?

Good eyes! It is definitely inspired by it.

I have. Check the ACM or alternative cementitious materials. I will make another video in the future about repair materials and talk more about it.

@@TylerLey Thanks I will. Love your work!

I am not sure something like this lends itself to automation or being insect and fire proof.

@@TylerLey i'm not sure on what you mean. automation is the whole point of 3d printing. work out one design so you can mass produce it. trouble is the system is only really 2d with lift, not actually proper 3d. with proper 3d you could do far more complex shapes and move around fixtures, rebar, insulation etc.

Thanks! Happy to look at a presentation.

What do you suggest I do differently?

@@TylerLey I didn't fully understand what you said

​​@@TylerLeyif i may, i think sites like KZfaq are very sensationalistic these days. So, saying something shocking or using it to lure people in who love concrete but never heard about you might work. Like, why the greenfell towers didn't fall down because of the heat. ...or accuse a news channel of providing incorrect information about concrete or structural technicalities or criticize the current government for not having a good policy on structures or concrete. KZfaq loves drama, arguments and sensationalism. Commenting frequently on other more popular similar channels like "the efficient engineer" might get you more visibility. Also mild clickbaiting maybe lol. Btw big fan of your work just the way it is lol

​@@TylerLey secondly can i make a few requests? please make a video about your favourite books on reinforced concrete design. Also maybe on heat island effect. Thanks

Thanks!

HEY!!!!

Thanks! You could but why not just print them on site? That way you don't have to move them.

This can happen if the rebar corrodes. I have some videos on corrosion that would be helpful.

@@TylerLey Thank you so much Tyler

Thanks! See my previous comment on this. I think ICF is great but 3D printing will surpass it.

Stop politicizing things...unions dont own politicians.....wondering if you have a real concrete question?

@@roygbiv5164 I have 48 years experience as a Civil Engineer and 10 years as a town engineer. Politics is in everything unfortunately.

​@@richardross7219I have got to say that I do see your point. Trying to get things through town hall or a County government can be a nightmare if they do not want it even if it is something greater than other options. Where I live it is not a problem with the Union owning the politicians so much as it is politicians who are academics that have never been on the field themselves and do not fully understand the process.

Thanks Rick, I don't think this will come overnight. Where I live we can't get enough people in construction. Everyone is under staffed. Everyone is looking. This could make them more efficient. This is not about taking jobs away. This is about making people's lives better and making the workers that we do have more efficient. I will be the first to say that there are problems with these new methods that need to get fixed and you are right there are all kinds of road blocks to change. However, if we take a LONG view I see this as a game changer. I think it is a matter of when and what it will look like. Please keep watching. I want to hear your thoughts.

@@TylerLey Maybe if the 3D is making foam forms for the insulation it would be more efficient. It seems that prefabricating may be the optimum way and would save a lot of transportation and labor. The designs for connecting parts would need improvement. I used precast concrete planks in my house. They only cost a little more than a normal lumber floor and provided me with thermal storage for my passive solar heating. My exposure to unions was that they were most worried about getting dues. I hear that everybody is having trouble getting workers. I also hear that white male engineers are having trouble finding jobs too. 15 years ago CT went PC/woke. A job that I applied for was given to a woman with no qualifications got the job instead. She had no idea what she was doing. She screwed up the job and got fired. The HR woman who picked her over me ended up in trouble too. It ended up best for me because I got to retire 8 years early. Good Luck, Rick

The printer we developed can use 1" aggregate and print around tight rebar meshes. I agree that cold joints are not idea but they are not different then a crack. A cold joint doesn't weaken a structure if there is rebar going through the joint. This is recognized by building codes. They can be areas for durability issues if you don't address them. I don't understand why I would 3D print formwork when I could 3D print the entire structure and not have formwork?

@@TylerLey thank for replying prof. I just figured it would be easier to design form work in way that it becomes structural and/or ornamental than trying to make 3d printing feasible. Would be nice to see it work it's way around reinforcements with complex geometries where other structures are already put in place and are not easily accessible from the top.

@@TylerLey I think I could be great for footings and foundation work.

Why do you say that?

@@TylerLey Take a step back, take a deep breath, and maybe you can comprehend how this 3D printing nonsense will not be applicable to mainstream construction. I am a licensed contractor (25 years with 35 + years experience) specializing in custom concrete and masonry in California. I am not “close minded” and do not resist modern new construction methods. But, mainstream 3D printing house building, concrete, clothes, cars, food (why not?🤣) etc etc etc is a fools pipe dream (I’m not calling you a “fool”). Construction needs man power, will always need tradesman who specialize in their particular craft. Do I really need to explain further? If so, than you really don’t understand construction. You do understand concrete, but the actual “placing” of concrete or masonry you truly don’t understand. Other than that, Thank you for all your hard work and knowledge, your channel is interesting and has value.