{"title":"An overview of 3D printed concrete for building structures: Material properties, sustainability, future opportunities, and challenges","authors":"Osama Mohamed , Anamika Mishra , Fida Isam","doi":"10.1016/j.istruc.2025.109284","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Three-dimensional (3D) printing of concrete structures is gaining interest and popularity as an alternative to conventional construction. 3D-printed concrete (3DPC) is advantageous for constructing building elements or structures with complex geometries, as it generally decreases construction time, can reduce costs, and improves safety on construction sites. Compared to concrete for conventional construction, mixes for 3D printing must satisfy more stringent requirements to achieve pumpability, extrudability, and buildability. This study reviews the rheological, mechanical, and durability properties of mortar-based 3DPC. The effect of incorporating coarse aggregates in 3DPC mixes on the shrinkage and bond strength of printed elements is also discussed. Mortar-based 3DPC is characterized by a lower self-weight which enhances interlayer stability. However, mortar-based 3DPC exhibits high shrinkage compared to aggregate-based 3DPC. Both a retarder and high-range water-reducing admixtures may be necessary to control the flowability and setting time of 3DPC. The study focuses on the effects of binder composition, aggregate size, water-to-binder ratio, reinforcement, and printing parameters on pumpability, extrudability, and buildability. Selected aspects related to 3D printing of concrete including material properties, applications, sustainability, challenges, and future opportunities are discussed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48642,"journal":{"name":"Structures","volume":"78 ","pages":"Article 109284"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9000,"publicationDate":"2025-05-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Structures","FirstCategoryId":"5","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352012425010987","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"ENGINEERING, CIVIL","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) printing of concrete structures is gaining interest and popularity as an alternative to conventional construction. 3D-printed concrete (3DPC) is advantageous for constructing building elements or structures with complex geometries, as it generally decreases construction time, can reduce costs, and improves safety on construction sites. Compared to concrete for conventional construction, mixes for 3D printing must satisfy more stringent requirements to achieve pumpability, extrudability, and buildability. This study reviews the rheological, mechanical, and durability properties of mortar-based 3DPC. The effect of incorporating coarse aggregates in 3DPC mixes on the shrinkage and bond strength of printed elements is also discussed. Mortar-based 3DPC is characterized by a lower self-weight which enhances interlayer stability. However, mortar-based 3DPC exhibits high shrinkage compared to aggregate-based 3DPC. Both a retarder and high-range water-reducing admixtures may be necessary to control the flowability and setting time of 3DPC. The study focuses on the effects of binder composition, aggregate size, water-to-binder ratio, reinforcement, and printing parameters on pumpability, extrudability, and buildability. Selected aspects related to 3D printing of concrete including material properties, applications, sustainability, challenges, and future opportunities are discussed.
期刊介绍:
Structures aims to publish internationally-leading research across the full breadth of structural engineering. Papers for Structures are particularly welcome in which high-quality research will benefit from wide readership of academics and practitioners such that not only high citation rates but also tangible industrial-related pathways to impact are achieved.