Development of 3D printable concrete with local materials: the role of rheological properties

Authors

  • Anna SZIJÁRTÓ Budapesti Műszaki és Gazdaságtudományi Egyetem, Budapest
  • Salem NEHME Budapesti Műszaki és Gazdaságtudományi Egyetem, Budapest
  • György BALÁZS L. Budapesti Műszaki és Gazdaságtudományi Egyetem, Budapest
  • Sándor SÓLYOM Budapesti Műszaki és Gazdaságtudományi Egyetem, Budapest

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.66987/EPKO.2026.33

Keywords:

3DCP, printable concrete, mix design, rheology, buildability

Abstract

3D concrete printing (3DCP) offers significant potential to reduce material consumption, formwork demand, and labor intensity in construction. Its practical implementation, however, requires cementitious mixtures with carefully tailored rheological properties ensuring adequate extrudability, buildability, and early-age stability. In this study, nine cement-based mixtures composed exclusively of locally available raw materials were developed and experimentally evaluated. Reference printable mixtures were used to define target criteria, and the developed mixtures were assessed in fresh and hardened states. Based on the results, a mixture containing approximately 600 kg/m³ cement and an optimized particle size distribution (Dmax = 1,2 mm) demonstrated stable extrusion, sufficient buildability without formwork, and mechanical performance comparable to the reference material under laboratory-scale 3D printing conditions. The results confirm that locally sourced materials can provide a viable alternative to commercial pre-mixed 3D printable concretes.

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Published

2026-06-12