Comprehensive Review of 3D Printed Concrete, Life Cycle Assessment, AI and ML Models (2024-12)¶

This paper offers an extensive assessment of 3D concrete printing (3DCP), an innovative form of construction that can revolutionize the construction industry. Its objectives include identifying the key parameters that control printability, evaluating different manufacturing processes, and examining the mechanical, physical, and other properties, as well as service life, and sustainability of 3D printed concrete. Furthermore, the review focuses on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in enhancing 3DCP operations. The research comprehensively and methodically reviews the main characteristics of printability including extrudability, shape retention, open time, and buildability. It draws a comparison between manufacturing techniques such as the use of toolpath and the use of powders while focusing on printed speed as a means of achieving controlled layers. The engineering properties of 3D-printed concrete focus on rheology, concrete components, and printable designs in this research. Various printing parameters like time, speed, and nozzle distance are assessed for their effect on mechanical properties such as compressive strength, modulus of rupture, and tensile strength. Durability is determined by evaluating thermal properties, drying shrinkage, freeze-thaw cycling, and microstructure. The environmental effect is assessed through the features of lifecycle analysis and ecological friendliness. Accordingly, the review identifies printability factors and manufacturing techniques as vital factors that dictate the success of 3DCP. Depending on the concrete composition and the concrete mix proportions, its rheological properties are of great significance for the printable structures. This is in relation to thermal behavior, shrinkage, and freeze-thaw cycle where durability points to the need for proper assessment to assure structures' performance. The environmental impact also highlights how 3DCP can be utilized to minimize the carbon impact of construction through new materials and techniques. As illustrated in this review, there exists great potential for using 3DCP in revolutionizing sustainable construction technologies. AI models incorporated into the printing processes can lead to more improvements hence leading to the creation of even more advanced 3DCP, faster, better quality and eco-friendly. These findings are expected to help in the advancement of 3DCP technologies and be useful to researchers, engineers and practitioners in the construction industry.