On the use of 3D printing to enhance the thermal performance of building envelope – A Review

3D printing is constantly evolving, enabling new innovative manufacturing applications. Extensive research in biomimetics underscores the significant impact of geometric configurations on the thermal performance of building envelopes. However, a comprehensive literature review on the thermal efficacy of 3D printed building components remains unexplored. This study, after offering an overview of 3D printing, its development and its application in the construction sector, focuses on its potential in terms of thermal optimization of the building envelope, through the use of complex shapes and cutting-edge materials. The review ends with the examination of the recent challenges faced by 3D printing and the perspectives for its future development, opening the doors to various research opportunities. Overall, 696 publications from 2006 to 2024 were selected, and 160 of them were deemed suitable. Four databases were used for literature searches: Science Direct, Scopus, Springer Link, Google Scholar. The main findings highlighted that while 3D printing holds promise for enhancing thermal performance in the building industry, it has yet to reach its full potential. The review revealed a variety of approaches pursued to optimize the thermal performance of 3D printed building components, including topology, material selection, and sustainability considerations. Among the examined thermophysical properties, the lowest recorded thermal conductivity, 0.04 W/mK, was achieved using wheat straw-based composite materials. Similarly, the minimum thermal transmittance value for a 3D printed wall was found to be 0.15 W/m2K.