A systematic review of the role of 4D printing in sustainable civil engineering solutions

This systematic review, not financially supported by any funding body, aims to synthesize the current knowledge on the applications, potential benefits, and challenges of 4D printing in civil engineering, with a focus on its role in sustainable solutions. Comprehensive searches were conducted in Sco...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Heliyon 2023-10, Vol.9 (10), p.e20982-e20982, Article e20982
Main Authors: Firoozi, Ali Akbar, Firoozi, Ali Asghar
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
4D printing
Adaptive structures
Civil engineering
Construction technology
Design freedom
Environmental sustainability
Smart materials
Thermophysical changes
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Summary:This systematic review, not financially supported by any funding body, aims to synthesize the current knowledge on the applications, potential benefits, and challenges of 4D printing in civil engineering, with a focus on its role in sustainable solutions. Comprehensive searches were conducted in Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar using related keywords. Articles that discussed 4D printing within civil engineering and construction contexts, encompassing both conceptual and empirical studies, were included. The findings suggest that 4D printing, with its time-responsive transformation feature, can enhance design freedom, improve structural performance, and increase environmental efficiency in construction. However, challenges persist in material performance, scalability, and cost. Despite these, ongoing advancements signal potential future developments that could widen the opportunities for large-scale applications of 4D printing in civil engineering. The potential use of renewable, bio-based materials could also lead to more sustainable construction practices. This review highlights the transformative potential of 4D printing, underlining the need for further research to fully leverage its capabilities and address current limitations. 4D printing emerges as a promising avenue for sustainable civil engineering solutions, offering a transformative approach that calls for continued exploration and development.
ISSN:2405-8440
2405-8440
DOI:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e20982