3D-Printed Concrete Bridges (2025-03)¶

3D Concrete Printing (3DCP) technology is rapidly gaining popularity in the construction industry, particularly for transportation infrastructure such as bridges. Unlike traditional construction methods, this innovative approach eliminates the need for formwork and enhances both economic efficiency and sustainability by lowering resource consumption and waste generation associated with formwork. This paper examines current research on 3D-printed concrete bridges, highlighting key areas such as concrete mixtures, design processes, construction techniques, and reinforcement strategies. It delves into computational methods like topology optimization and iterative “design by testing” approaches, which are crucial for developing structurally efficient and architecturally innovative bridges. Additionally, it reviews specific admixtures or additives within the concrete mix, assessing how they improve essential properties of printable concrete, including extrudability, buildability, and interlayer bonding. Moreover, it shows that the primary construction approach for 3DCP bridges involves prefabrication and on-site assembly, with robotic arm printers leading to scalability and precision. Reinforcement continues to be challenging, with the most commonly used strategies being post-tensioning, hybrid techniques, and fiber reinforcement. This paper offers insights into the advancements and challenges in 3D-printed concrete bridge construction, providing valuable guidance for future research and development in this field.