The CONISSUS project aims to develop a 3D printing solution to support rapid but sustainable construction to meet housing needs.
By 2030, the UK plans to construct 2.7 million housing units while India under the "Housing-for-All by 2030" plan is targeting to construct a total of 25 million units.
However, the sheer scale of this challenge means there exists a significant global shortage of construction workers.
As a measure to fast-track the construction even with a lesser workforce, prefabricated panels have been identified as a viable alternative.
However, the concrete-based panels have a net carbon output exceeding 800kg of CO2 per tonne.
This does not align with other policies standards and initiatives such as the Carbon Reduction Policy and the NHS Net Zero Building Standard focused on emission reduction.
Where construction 3D printing of the housing units has been introduced, the integrity of the structure has been questioned.
Our project
In this project, we will develop a comprehensive construction 3D printing solution that will support rapid but sustainable construction to meet housing needs.
As a consortium, we are developing a construction 3D printing solution CONISSUS to yield the integrity and strength of traditionally constructed buildings at the speed of printing.
The solution will facilitate the bonding and adhesion between successive layers of the printed as well as eliminate pipe and nozzle blockages preventing bubble/air pocket formation as is common in conventional 3D printing solutions.
This is achieved through integrating a Power Ultrasound System (PUS) into the construction 3D printer.
CONISSUS will enable the digitisation of building condition monitoring based on an innovative embedded IoT (Internet of Things) sensor system providing real-time data which can be used to support the realisation of sustainable, energy-efficient and net-zero infrastructure as envisioned in the draft UKRI Sustainability Concordant aims.
Our research is set to revolutionise Power Ultrasound System (PUS) and IoT sensor systems suitable for house 3D printing.
This innovation provides UK companies with a competitive edge in the supply chain of the sensor systems used in construction 3D printing, thus creating a new sub-supply chain.
Key benefits
- Competitive advantage for UK Companies: By pioneering the development of a Power Ultrasound System (PUS), an IoT sensor system for construction 3D printing, UK companies can lead the market in construction 3D printing, offering state-of-the-art condition monitoring and troubleshooting systems. This positions the UK as a global leader in this emerging technology, attracting investment and fostering economic growth.
- Enhanced supply chain integration: The integration of a new sub-supply chain into the existing construction 3D printing supply chain enhances efficiency and coordination, reducing costs and improving overall productivity within the industry.
- Immediate commercialisation and return on investment: Leveraging the prior expertise of 明星八卦 and in developing these technologies at TRL9 ensures that these advancements can be quickly commercialised. This accelerates the return on investment for stakeholders, driving economic value and boosting national productivity.
- Development of sustainable construction materials: Our research also focuses on creating next-generation sustainable materials for digital construction. Specifically, we are going to develop a cement mixture to which we will apply ultrasound to increase its strength post-construction. This innovation leads to stronger, more durable, and sustainable building materials, benefitting the entire construction sector.
Applications
• Construction industry: The primary application of our research is in the construction industry, specifically in 3D printing for building houses and other structures. The advanced sensor systems and sustainable materials we develop will improve the efficiency, quality, and sustainability of construction projects.
• Manufacturing and supply chain management: The creation of a new sub-supply chain within the construction sector can be a model for other manufacturing industries, demonstrating how innovative technologies can integrate into and enhance existing supply chains.
By addressing the needs of these sectors, our research not only fosters technological advancements but also drives economic growth and sustainability, benefiting a wide range of industries and stakeholders outside academia.