Recent advancements and future trends in 3D concrete printing using waste materials
Haidong Tu, Zhenyun Wei, Alireza Bahrami, Nabil Ben Kahla, Ayaz Ahmad, Yasin Onuralp Özkılıç
Abstract
3D printing concrete (3DPC) is an innovative construction technique that enables the creation of complex and customized structures. This technology offers advantages such as reduced material waste, faster construction times, and the ability to produce unique designs with intricate details. This article reviews the latest advancements in 3DPC technology, its potential to transform the building and construction industries, and the latest developments in 3DPC printing systems, methodologies, materials, and applications. The article concludes that several parameters and concrete mix proportions heavily influence the concrete 3D printing process. Using waste material as supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) can significantly improve 3DPC's rheology, but excessive use can decrease early strength. Lastly, using recycled sand in 3D printing can reduce the flexural stiffness and strength of the printed objects when loaded from different directions. The article also categorizes large-scale 3DPC technologies into three primary categories, highlighting the need to optimize printing ink for better economic and environmental outcomes using waste materials in 3DCP applications.