Challenges in modelling thermo-optical performance of 3D-printed facades: a cross-domain review

Abstract

Thanks to large-scale 3D printing, it is possible to fabricate performance-integrated building facades, contributing to the building sector's decarbonisation. The assessment of thermo-optical performance in 3D-printed facades (3DPF) is still at an early stage. The main challenges are related to the specificity of such components: the geometrical complexity, the interaction of multiple physical effects and the influence of the fabrication process on their properties. This focused review examines the aspects of performance indicators, multiphysics and multiscale modelling by reviewing recent efforts in the fields of advanced facades and process engineering. Learnings from the reviewed studies guided the development of a novel approach for modelling the thermo-optical properties of polymer 3DPF and informing their design.