Researchers have investigated the relationship between 3D concrete printing and lean construction to see if this revolutionary technology can successfully support and enhance lean concepts. Several studies have highlighted 3D printing's promising ability to contribute to lean building goals. Lim et al. (2012) explored the viability of employing 3D concrete printing to minimize waste and increase building process efficiency. The study emphasized the precision and accuracy attained by layer-by-layer concrete deposition, which can result in considerable material waste reductions when compared to traditional building methods. This is consistent with the fundamental notion of waste minimization in lean construction.

Ahmed et al. (2020) investigated the difficulties and best practices of integrating lean construction concepts in traditional projects. While the research was not specifically focused on 3D printing, it did emphasize the necessity of process optimization and collaboration among project stakeholders—elements that resonate with the simplified procedures and automation capabilities afforded by 3D concrete printing.

Lead Time

When compared to traditional building processes, 3D concrete printing has shown tremendous potential in dramatically lowering lead times. 3D printing, by utilizing computer-aided design (CAD) models and robotic technologies, enables speedy and exact building, lowering project completion time (Hossain et al., 2020). Traditional building methods can include time-consuming physical work and material management, resulting in delays and inefficiencies. The use of 3D concrete printing accelerates the building process, which aligns with the emphasis on decreasing non-value-added operations in Lean building.

Waste Reduction

The minimization of waste throughout the building process is a core concept of Lean building. Traditional building processes create significant material waste, raising environmental concerns and increasing prices. By leveraging accurate material placement and optimizing resource utilization, 3D concrete printing has shown the ability to minimize waste (Buswell et al., 2018). Furthermore, the capacity to recycle and reuse surplus materials in 3D printing adds to waste reduction, which aligns with the concepts of Lean Construction.

Quality Improvement

The use of 3D concrete printing has the potential to improve building quality by increasing accuracy and decreasing human error. Traditional building methods can entail unpredictability in manual operations, resulting in inconsistent product quality. 3D concrete printing, powered by digital design and automation, assures construction consistency and precision (Buswell et al., 2022). The emphasis on continual improvement and quality in Lean Construction matches with the promise for improved construction results through 3D printing technology.

Cost-Effectiveness

Lean Construction places a premium on cost-effectiveness, emphasizing efficient resource usage and lower project costs. While the initial investment in 3D concrete printing technology may be expensive, long-term benefits such as lower labor expenses, less material waste, and faster project completion can be gained (Lim et al., 2012). Due to inefficiencies, traditional building processes frequently result in budget overruns and unforeseen costs. The use of 3D concrete printing could correspond with the objective of Lean Construction of optimizing costs throughout the project lifespan.

The use of 3D concrete printing is directly related to the core concepts of lean construction. 3D printing aids to waste reduction by allowing for exact material placement and limiting abuse of resources (Buswell et al., 2018; Lim et al., 2012). Furthermore, the simplified procedures inherent in 3D printing technology enable efficient construction with shorter lead times and improved project predictability, solving difficulties commonly experienced in traditional building techniques (Jo et al., 2020; Pan et al., 2020). Higher control over construction processes, as well as the possibility for automation, contribute to higher project value by improving quality, reducing defects, and increasing customer satisfaction (Kusumastuti et al., 2020)..