Performance and Evolution of Materials for 3D Construction Printing (2026-04)¶

Additive manufacturing is revolutionizing the construction sector, from traditional residential buildings to emergency shelters and even extreme environments, by simplifying on-site operations. A critical challenge in this field is the development of sustainable materials for additive manufacturing. The housing crisis in low-income countries demands high-performance materials with simple, low-cost production cycles and locally available resources. Furthermore, 3D printing applications in extreme environments, such as deserts, polar regions, and planetary habitats, including those on the Moon or Mars, require innovative and printable material solutions. Several reviews exist on specific 3D printing material typologies, but a comprehensive overview focusing on material performance and production processes is still lacking. Accordingly, this study pursues two main objectives: (1) to deliver a critical review and comprehensive overview of 3D printable construction materials, analyzing their historical evolution, production cycles, mechanical, physical, and thermal properties, as well as sustainability and compatibility with 3D printing; (2) to integrate insights from the ArchiSpace project, funded by the European Union (MSCA Staff Exchange), which focuses on designing and constructing habitats in terrestrial analogs of planetary environments. A systematic literature review was conducted using an integrated approach combining qualitative analysis and bibliometric methods, offering a comprehensive overview of the state of the art in the field. As a result, a major gap identified is the understanding of geopolymer matrix properties, particularly regarding mix design, performances, and 3D printing processes. This dual focus on terrestrial and extraterrestrial applications highlights the transformative potential of 3D printing and provides a roadmap for future research and implementations in traditional and extreme environments.