Alexander N. Walzer


Last Name

Walzer

First Name

Alexander N.

ORCID

0000-0003-3946-7954

Organisational unit

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Publications 1 - 10 of 28
  • Improving a 3D Concrete Printing Factory Using Stochastic Modelling for Decision-Support
    Item type: Conference Poster
    Walzer, Alexander N.; Kozlova, Mariia; Mohite, Ashish; et al. (2024)
    3D Concrete Printing (3DCP) 3DCP is recognized for significantly reducing production costs, increasing productivity, and lowering embodied carbon, marking a substantial step towards sustainable construction practices. Despite its advantages, the research on the interplay between these benefits is still emerging. The research introduces a novel stochastic decision-support framework that goes beyond conventional unit cost analysis by incorporating stochastic Monte Carlo simulations and Simulation Decomposition (SimDec). This framework provides a 3DCP firm with a sophisticated strategy for decision-making amidst technological uncertainties. It is enriched by global sensitivity analysis to assess strategic decisions' economic and environmental impacts on their 3DCP operations.
  • Bug or feature? Institutional misalignments between construction technology and venture capital
    Item type: Journal Article
    Walzer, Alexander N.; Tan, Tan; Graser, Konrad; et al. (2025)
    Construction Management and Economics
    Despite substantial investments into new technologies, the adoption of systemic innovations such as construction robotics remains limited. Therefore, this study investigates the discrepancy between the assumed advantages of construction technologies and their actual performance during practical implementation, using construction robotics as the empirical case. Through an abductive thematic analysis of 127 interviews across Europe and North America, we identify six enablers of institutional misalignment: cognitive frame differences, divergent time horizons, conflicting market strategies, product versus revenue focus, varying risk tolerances, and information asymmetry. These misalignments between startup founders’ technological logic and investors’ economic logic constrain adoption, emphasizing the influence of institutional dynamics over technological feasibility. Our findings suggest these challenges are not unique to construction robotics but may extend to other emerging construction technologies. This highlights the critical need for aligning institutional logics to fully harness the potential of innovation in construction.
  • Aligning Project Delivery Models with Circular Economy Principles: A Scoping Analysis
    Item type: Other Conference Item
    Walzer, Alexander N.; Petojevic, Zorana; Graser, Konrad (2025)
    SBE Conference Series ~ Sustainable Built Environment Conference 2025 Zurich - Extended Abstracts
  • Understanding Stakeholders’ Intention to Use Construction Robots: A Fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis
    Item type: Conference Poster
    Wu, Sihui; Walzer, Alexander N.; Kahlert, Aniko; et al. (2023)
  • Entrepreneurship for Digital Fabrication and Construction Robotics
    Item type: Other Conference Item
    Walzer, Alexander N. (2021)
    This research investigates the opportunities and challenges for new and existing firms in the construction industry when utilizing innovative technologies, such as 3D-printing and robotics. The investigation involves studies on emerging and existing business models and product development strategies, and assesses current market trends for construction. The research will start with extensive literature review and further be conducted using multimethodology including ethnography, surveys and interviews. It is expected to also include experimental assessment of case studies on the open market and their data. It is expected to find correlation between market opportunities and technological innovation in the construction sector. Furthermore, it is expected to present strategies to mitigate risks for new and existing AEC firms when embracing a path of technological advancement. The findings of this research will help present relevant facts for stakeholders in AEC. Yet, both sample size of participants, their biases and other currently unknown limitations will be faced. Further research might include a more direct “hands-on” approach using a cohort of Start-Ups (such as in a foundry, an incubator or accelerator programme) under close and direct guidance and thus also provide a more in-depth and unbiased information.
  • Shifting gears, shifting paradigms: Entrepreneurial considerations for construction robotic firms
    Item type: Other Conference Item
    Walzer, Alexander N.; Hall, Daniel (2024)
    Digitalisation of the Built Environment: 3rd 4TU-14UAS Research Day - extended abstracs
    In the rapidly evolving organisational fields of construction robotics and digital fabrication (DFAB), the pace of technological advancement contrasts with the slow rate of adoption within the industry. This discrepancy raises critical questions regarding the factors influencing the integration of these innovations into construction practices. In response, entering its concluding phase, this doctoral study reexamines the seminal frameworks that Kangari and Halpin (1990) and Brown and Katz (2009) established. This project aims to uncover the complex dynamics that govern the adoption of construction robotics and DFAB technologies by embracing multiple research paradigms. This approach acknowledges the multifaceted nature of technological integration, suggesting that barriers to adoption extend beyond technical considerations to encompass a broader range of socioeconomic, organisational, and cultural dynamics.
  • Printing homes: Unit cost estimation for additive manufacturing in construction
    Item type: Book Chapter
    Walzer, Alexander N.; Kozlova, Mariia; Yeomans, Julian Scott (2024)
    Routledge Open Business and Economics ~ Sensitivity Analysis for Business, Technology, and Policymaking
    Applying Additive Manufacturing (AM) methodologies, such as 3D printing of concrete, might provide a mechanism to revolutionize the construction sector. However, the ambiguous nature of unit economics has deterred its more extensive integration. As such, this study first presents a deterministic model for estimating direct and indirect costs in AM and then advances a stochastic unit cost model by integrating uncertainty ranges. Using (Monte Carlo) Simulation Decomposition, this model is analyzed regarding probabilistic scenarios, the sensitivity of input factors, and uncertainty effects. The results confirm the existence of economies of scale and highlight AM’s potential for construction across a diverse range of scenarios. Managers, researchers, investors, and policymakers alike can use this model to interactively navigate the complexities of AM in the construction industry to inform decisions and drive technology development. As AM technology advances, the models can be iteratively refined and expanded, eventually improving unit economics, productivity, and profitability. Future research can then leverage such models to explore AM’s potential impact in construction, infrastructure, and housing projects.
  • Qualitative technology evaluation of digital fabrication with concrete: Conceptual framework and scoreboard
    Item type: Journal Article
    Graser, Konrad; Walzer, Alexander N.; Hunhevicz, Jens Juri; et al. (2023)
    Automation in Construction
    The adoption of digital fabrication with concrete (DFC) has the potential to bring sustainability, productivity, and process innovation to the construction industry. However, DFC adoption towards market-ready construction systems is lagging due to a lack of understanding in matching its technology capabilities with the needs of potential adopters. This paper describes a DFC Evaluation Framework, analyzing current advancements in DFC through a Conceptual Framework Analysis. The framework is focused on the inputs, process parameters and outcomes of a given technology solution independently of the enabling technology type. It can be used to classify and compare DFC technologies along their systemic characteristics, which are both technical and non-technical in nature. The DFC Scoreboard, an interactive tool to match DFC technologies with the needs of prospective adopters, is developed and tested based on the framework. The paper discusses how the DFC Evaluation Framework and Scoreboard offer one of the first systemic overviews of DFC adoption, with the capability to match technology capabilities and user needs in the technology adoption process.
  • Construction Technology Entrepreneurship: an international perspective
    Item type: Presentation
    Walzer, Alexander N. (2022)
  • Designing Robotically‐Constructed Metal Frame Structures
    Item type: Journal Article
    Ma, Zhao; Walzer, Alexander N.; Schumacher, Christian; et al. (2020)
    Computer Graphics Forum
    We present a computational technique that aids with the design of structurally-sound metal frames, tailored for robotic fabrication using an existing process that integrate automated bar bending, welding, and cutting. Aligning frames with structurally favourable orientations, and decomposing models into fabricable units, we make the fabrication process scale-invariant, and frames globally align in an aesthetically-pleasing and structurally-informed manner. Relying on the standard analysis of frames, we then co-optimize the shape and topology of bars at the local unit level. At this level, we minimize combinations of functional and aesthetic objectives under strict fabrication constraints that model the assembly of discrete sets of bent bars. We demonstrate the capabilities of our global-to-local approach on four robotically-constructed examples.
Publications 1 - 10 of 28