A Literature Review of WAAM and Future Application in Buildings

Abstract

With rising needs for sustainable and innovative designs, the traditional process of manufacturing steel within the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry must find new ways to adapt to changing demands. This literature review aims to evaluate one emerging technology – Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) – on its potential to bring the AEC industry to the forefront of sustainable growth through its ability to manufacture standardized metal components with improved sustainability, scalability, production time, and material efficiency compared to the traditional manufacturing process. This review observes first the historical and technological background of WAAM, before examining three case studies which assist in understanding the feasibility of integrating additive manufacturing methods into architectural design. Each case study positively indicates that WAAM has potential to become a primary metal manufacturer in the AEC industry, while acknowledging existing uses and constraints. Acknowledgment: The article is partially sponsored by the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) 2022 Undergraduate Research Fellowship.