ITcon Vol. 31, pg. 1177-1196, http://www.itcon.org/2026/49

BIM and additive manufacturing in 3D concrete printing: A systematic review of digital integration frameworks

DOI:10.36680/j.itcon.2026.049
submitted:December 2025
published:September 2026
editor(s):Turk Z
authors:Amirhossein Fakhr Ghasemi, PhD Student
Penn State University, Stuckeman School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, USA
https://orcid.org/0009-0005-2716-9820
akf5785@psu.edu

Yuqing Hu, Assistant Professor
Penn State University, Department of Architectural Engineering, USA
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4372-7536
yfh5204@psu.edu

Jose Pinto Duarte, Professor of Architecture and Landscape Architecture
Penn State University, Stuckeman School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, USA
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3826-3987
jxp400@psu.edu
summary:This study investigates integrating 3D concrete printing (3DCP) with emerging digital technologies in construction and pursues two connected objectives. First, from a broad perspective, it reviews how 3DCP interacts with various digital technologies—such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), the Internet of Things (IoT), Augmented Reality (AR), and digital twins—to define the digital ecosystem surrounding additive construction. Second, and more specifically, it explores the frameworks that enable collaboration between BIM and Additive Manufacturing (AM), focusing on how BIM can serve as a central platform for integrating digital tools throughout the construction lifecycle. To address these two objectives, we adopt a two-stage methodology: a bibliometric analysis mapping interactions between 3DCP and these technologies, followed by a systematic review guided by the PRISMA and PICO frameworks and focused on BIM–AM integration workflows. Our findings show that BIM not only supports material specification and geometric modeling but also enables performance optimization and fabrication management through parametric design environments and real-time feedback systems. Although several conceptual frameworks propose comprehensive lifecycle integration, practical implementations remain limited to specific phases. The study identifies key challenges in interoperability, environmental sensing, and support for functionally graded materials, and proposes future research directions, including embedded structural analysis, standardized ontologies for AM data, and adaptive control systems. This research contributes to the growing body of knowledge on BIM–AM integration and highlights the potential for scalable, intelligent workflows in large-scale additive construction.
keywords:construction, additive manufacturing, building information modeling, 3DCP, BIM
full text: (PDF file, 1.237 MB)
citation:Fakhr Ghasemi, A., Hu, Y., & Pinto Duarte, J. (2026). BIM and additive manufacturing in 3D concrete printing: A systematic review of digital integration frameworks. Journal of Information Technology in Construction (ITcon), 31, 1177-1196. https://doi.org/10.36680/j.itcon.2026.049
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