Sensitive Concretes for 3D Printed Structures (2026-01)¶

In the field of civil engineering, the development of innovative construction processes, such as 3D printing, permits to simplify the construction procedures, reduce the uncertainties due to manual variability, increase construction efficiency and reduce costs. Such materials need to be specifically optimized and composed taking into account key properties such as buildability, workability, and other fresh-state characteristics. Moreover, the increased susceptibility of 3D-printed concrete to local inhomogeneities and variations in material properties, due to the absence of vibration used in conventional casted concrete constructions, emphasizes the need for enhanced monitoring of structural performance both in the short term and throughout the service life. One potential solution is the incorporation of piezoresistive conductive particles into the mix, which enhances sensing capabilities in the material. In particular, the aim of this work is to develop an engineered printable building material with self-sensing capabilities, through the addition of carbon-based fillers, specifically tailored for 3D printing. These multifunctional characteristics allow to increase the service life of the structures, and their safety, decreasing the impact on the environment and economic and social costs. For this purpose, various mixes, based on cement pastes and mortars are produced and investigated. The experimental campaign allows identifying the most promising composites for 3D printing of multifunctional concrete structures.