Laws and Standards for Three-Dimensional Printed Concrete Buildings: Limitations and Guidelines for Application in Thailand

Abstract

Three-Dimensional Concrete Printing, or 3D Concrete Printing (3DCP), is a construction innovation with the potential to reduce construction time, decrease the use of formwork, reduce certain types of labor, and enhance architectural freedom in terms of form. However, the application of this technology in actual building construction remains subject to significant limitations in terms of law, design standards, structural systems, materials, safety, and quality control processes. This is particularly evident in Thailand, where there are currently no specific laws or standards that directly regulate buildings constructed using 3DCP systems.

This article aims to analyze the status of Thai building control laws in comparison with relevant international standards, namely ICC-ES AC509, UL 3401, ISO/ASTM 52939:2023, and the guidelines of ACI Committee 564. It also proposes a framework for applying existing laws in conjunction with specialized standards in order to support the safe and systematic implementation of 3DCP in Thailand.

The study found that 3DCP should not be considered merely as a “new construction method,” but should instead be regulated as a building production system that integrates materials, machinery, printing processes, digital models, reinforcement, testing, and quality certification. Therefore, Thailand should develop a performance-based regulatory approach in parallel with the adoption of international standards. This would create a regulatory space in which innovation can be implemented without compromising the structural stability and safety of building users