Exploring Utilization of the 3D Printed Housing as Post-Disaster Temporary Shelter for Displaced People

The frequency in occurrence of a natural disaster is increasing rapidly. The rate at which the families recover from these disruptions and return to normal day-to-day operations is very essential. The loss of housing and the need for temporary shelter is the immediate after effect of a natural disaster. The objective of this study is to analyze whether 3-Dimensional Printing (3DP) can be a viable alternative to the conventional process of providing shelters and housing to displaced people. The conventional process of disaster relief has many challenges, and 3DP technology provides an opportunity to provide immediate, cost-effective relief to people whose homes were severely damaged or destroyed by a disaster. Investing in the 3D printing of temporary shelters may not seem prudent to stakeholders at this time, but the growth of the use of 3D printing and additive manufacturing in the construction industry will play a key role in accelerating the reach of this new technology to disaster-damaged areas. The potential of 3D printing for producing and rendering temporary housing/shelter after a natural disaster is assessed in this paper from different perspectives such as cost, time, safety, environmental impact, and transportation logistics. The authors of the study performed a thorough literature review to understand the recent technological advancements related to 3D printing and then evaluated the opportunities and challenges of adopting the technology in disaster-struck regions for the purpose of shelters and housing. The findings of this study will guide decision-makers in evaluating the feasibility of applying 3D printing in disaster-struck areas.