3D concrete printing – a structural engineering perspective

3D Concrete Printing (3DCP) is being developed in an increasing number of places around the globe. The focus is mainly on a trial-and-error based exploration of the possibilities. However, to obtain a viable manufacturing technology and realize the 3DCP potential, a higher level of process control is required. Four levels of control are therefore identified. Research efforts and key results to achieve a higher level of control than the current one are presented. As a final goal, optimization algorithms should be able to define optimum print sessions, based on allowable print strategies and structural analysis models describing both the fresh and hardened concrete state. This will result in new geometries appropriate to this specific manufacturing technique. These geometries, however, can only be applied when structural safety is achieved, either by loading conditions (compression structures), hybrid solutions (combination with conventional reinforced concrete), embedded reinforcement, FRC and prestress. Such solutions are therefore being explored.