{"id":30129,"date":"2018-11-13T13:37:08","date_gmt":"2018-11-13T18:37:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/digital.hbs.edu\/platform-rctom\/submission\/additive-manufacturing-potential-solution-to-the-labor-shortage-in-construction\/"},"modified":"2018-11-13T13:37:08","modified_gmt":"2018-11-13T18:37:08","slug":"additive-manufacturing-potential-solution-to-the-labor-shortage-in-construction","status":"publish","type":"hck-submission","link":"https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/submission\/additive-manufacturing-potential-solution-to-the-labor-shortage-in-construction\/","title":{"rendered":"Additive Manufacturing: Potential Solution to the Labor Shortage in Construction"},"content":{"rendered":"

Additive Manufacturing\u2019s Importance<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Despite a recovery from the Great Recession of 2008-2009, productivity in the construction sector lags behind many other segments of the economy. According to a McKinsey Global Institute paper, world manufacturing productivity has increased an average of 3.6% per year over the past 20 years while construction productivity has grown 1% or less during the same time period. The average construction project is completed 20 months behind schedule, and 80% of projects are completed over budget.1. <\/sup><\/p>\n

In the United States, one factor causing construction\u2019s productivity lag is dearth of workers. The Associated General Contractors of America found 86% of its members reported a shortage of labor when trying to staff construction projects.2<\/sup> Such worker shortages are projected to persist or increase due to an aging construction labor force, phasing out of traditional high school shop classes, continued enforcement of laws targeting illegal immigration, and a shunning of construction jobs in favor of college and white collar work by the millennial generation.1,2<\/sup><\/p>\n

New technology may ease problems due to labor shortages. Specifically, several early stage companies have been using additive manufacturing to construct everything from pedestrian bridges to housing and office space. Additive manufacturing relies on either no or greatly-reduced human labor because it uses automated printing machines to overlay materials layer-by-layer in the construction process. While additive manufacturing has several hurdles to overcome before widespread adoption, traditional construction firms are taking notice of its potential benefits, particularly when it comes to addressing worker shortages.<\/p>\n

AECOM<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

AECOM is a global infrastructure firm that specializes in consulting, construction, and management services. Projects include Georgia Institute of Technology\u2019s undergraduate learning center; One Bryant Park, a 2.1 million square foot office tower in New York City; and Metropolis, a $1.2 billion mixed-used development in Los Angeles.3<\/sup> In May of 2017, AECOM entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Yingchuang Building Technique Co. Ltd (known as Winsun), a little-known Chinese construction 3D printing company. Ian Chung, senior vice president of AECOM, described the agreement: \u201cThe potential for 3D printing to transform the infrastructure industry is still largely untapped and we are excited by the prospect of introducing this capability\u2026to help our global network of clients achieve faster turnaround times.\u201d4<\/sup><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Fig 1. House created by Winsun additive manufacturing.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Winsun has been creating houses using additive manufacturing since 2013, and the 3D printing method has facilitated faster construction using less labor. For example, construction of a 1,100 square meter, two-story house took one day to print, two days to assemble, and required only three laborers. The company built a 2,700 square foot office building in Dubai in 17 days at a cost of $140,000. The process uses primarily mine tailings combined with proprietary additives for its \u201cink\u201d and, according to Winsun, produces virtually zero waste.5<\/sup> By joining forces with Winsun, AECOM is able to dabble in the additive manufacturing space without making large investments in the technology itself. In the short-term, AECOM should consult with Winsun to identify uses for 3D printing in AECOM\u2019s current or near-term projects. These could include straight-forward uses like precast molds, overhangs, folds, and insulations. Given AECOM\u2019s size, it should consider acquiring Winsun or additive manufacturing technology itself in the longer term, as the market matures.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Fig 2. Interior of Winsun house.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

While additive manufacturing possesses significant benefits, especially in terms of minimizing required labor and speeding construction, the technology faces several obstacles. In the medium term, AECOM would be wise to use its extensive experience and resources to address some of these challenges. One such obstacle is persistent skepticism in the design community regarding the viability of 3D printing.6<\/sup> AECOM has an established reputation among designers and engineers worldwide. Its use of the technology could go a long way in refuting skepticism. Development has several other costs, beyond just construction, that have made it difficult for some startups to create dwellings at the cheaper price points promised by 3D printing. These include entitling land and bringing utilities to the site.7<\/sup> AECOM has experience in these activities, and its partnership with Winsun will allow the two to leverage these capabilities, speed the construction process, and take full advantage of additive manufacturing\u2019s benefits.<\/p>\n

AECOM has positioned itself as an early adopter of additive manufacturing technology through a partnership with Winsun. Such technology can help insulate AECOM from future challenges in construction, especially continued labor shortages and delays in project completion. Conversely, AECOM can help Winsun overcome some of the early obstacles facing 3D printing and legitimize the technology\u2019s wider use.<\/p>\n

Open Question<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  • Governments have not updated their regulatory regimes to reflect the use of additive manufacturing in construction. Is it wise for large firms like AECOM to push forward before this regulatory uncertainty is resolved?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    (771 words)<\/p>\n

    Sources<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Bughin J, Manyika J, Woetzel J. Reinventing Construction: A Route to Higher Productivity. McKinsey Global Institute<\/em> (February 2017).<\/li>\n
    2. The Associated General Contractors of America. 2015 Workforce Survey National Results.<\/em> 2015, https:\/\/public-gazfnvk.netdna-ssl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/11\/2015_Workforce_Survey_National.pdf?x64028<\/li>\n
    3. AECOM Corporate website. Projects<\/em>. https:\/\/www.aecom.com\/projects\/<\/li>\n
    4. Lam, Rebecca. \u201cAECOM signs Memorandum of Understanding with Winsun to collaborate on 3D printing for building design and construction.<\/em>\u201d PR Newswire<\/em>, May 2017. https:\/\/en.prnasia.com\/releases\/apac\/AECOM_signs_Memorandum_of_Understanding_with_Winsun_to_collaborate_on_3D_printing_for_building_design_and_construction-177952.shtml<\/li>\n
    5. Future of Construction. Winsun<\/em>. https:\/\/futureofconstruction.org\/case\/winsun\/<\/li>\n
    6. \u201cWinsun: Demonstrating the Viability of 3D Printing at Construction Scale.\u201d The World Economic Forum<\/em>, 8 December 2016.<\/li>\n
    7. Luck, Marissa. \u201c3D printing could revolutionize homebuilding, but here\u2019s what has to happen first.\u201d Austin Business Journal<\/em>, 25 May 2018.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

       <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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