Skip to content

Mechanical Properties of Extrusion-Based 3D-Printed Concrete Considering the Thickness of the Printed Layer and Printing Time Interval (2025-05)

10.1016/j.istruc.2025.109225

Tang Boyang,  Yan Jiachuan, Han Xiaoyu, Lin Yini, Fan Feng
Journal Article - Structures, Vol. 78, No. 109225

Abstract

This paper investigated the performance of 3D printed concrete with a focus on the bonding layer, considering the thickness of the printed layers. Through experimental testing and numerical simulation, the mechanical properties and failure mechanisms of the bonding layer were thoroughly analyzed. The results revealed that compressive strength diminishes with thinner layers and longer printing intervals, while anisotropic mechanical properties become increasingly pronounced with reduced layer thickness. The static performance of 3D printed concrete arches was also studied, showing that increased layer thickness enhances the ultimate load bearing capacity. Cohesive elements were used to simulate compressive strength across varying layer thicknesses and printing time intervals. Prediction formulae for compressive strength were developed and validated through experimental data. The study further simulated the static performance of arches using both cohesive elements and anisotropic material properties, confirming the accuracy of the strength prediction formulae and the effectiveness of the simulation methods.

53 References

  1. Asprone Domenico, Menna Costantino, Bos Freek, Salet Theo et al. (2018-06)
    Rethinking Reinforcement for Digital Fabrication with Concrete
  2. Bos Freek, Ahmed Zeeshan, Jutinov Evgeniy, Salet Theo (2017-11)
    Experimental Exploration of Metal-Cable as Reinforcement in 3D Printed Concrete
  3. Bos Freek, Ahmed Zeeshan, Wolfs Robert, Salet Theo (2017-06)
    3D Printing Concrete with Reinforcement
  4. Bos Freek, Menna Costantino, Pradena Mauricio, Kreiger Eric et al. (2022-03)
    The Realities of Additively Manufactured Concrete Structures in Practice
  5. Bos Freek, Wolfs Robert, Ahmed Zeeshan, Salet Theo (2016-08)
    Additive Manufacturing of Concrete in Construction:
    Potentials and Challenges of 3D Concrete Printing
  6. Buswell Richard, Bos Freek, Silva Wilson, Hack Norman et al. (2022-01)
    Digital Fabrication with Cement-Based Materials:
    Process Classification and Case Studies
  7. Buswell Richard, Silva Wilson, Jones Scott, Dirrenberger Justin (2018-06)
    3D Printing Using Concrete-Extrusion:
    A Roadmap for Research
  8. Chen Yu, He Shan, Gan Yidong, Çopuroğlu Oğuzhan et al. (2021-11)
    A Review of Printing-Strategies, Sustainable Cementitious Materials and Characterization Methods in the Context of Extrusion-Based 3D Concrete Printing
  9. Chen Yu, Jansen Koen, Zhang Hongzhi, Rodríguez Claudia et al. (2020-07)
    Effect of Printing-Parameters on Inter-Layer Bond Strength of 3D Printed Limestone-Calcined-Clay-Based Cementitious Materials:
    An Experimental and Numerical Study
  10. Dell’Endice Alessandro, Bouten Sam, Mele Tom, Block Philippe (2023-07)
    Structural Design and Engineering of Striatus, an Unreinforced 3D Concrete Printed Masonry Arch Bridge
  11. Feng Peng, Meng Xinmiao, Chen Jian-Fei, Ye Lieping (2015-06)
    Mechanical Properties of Structures 3D Printed with Cementitious Powders
  12. Gebhard Lukas, Mata-Falcón Jaime, Anton Ana-Maria, Dillenburger Benjamin et al. (2021-04)
    Structural Behavior of 3D Printed Concrete Beams with Various Reinforcement-Strategies
  13. Haar Bjorn, Kruger Jacques, Zijl Gideon (2024-04)
    Off-Site 3D Printed Concrete Beam Design and Fabrication
  14. Han Xiaoyu, Yan Jiachuan, Liu Mingjian, Huo Liang et al. (2021-10)
    Experimental Study on Large-Scale 3D Printed Concrete Walls Under Axial Compression
  15. Hass Lauri, Nefs Karsten, Bos Freek, Salet Theo (2023-10)
    Application Potential of Combining Strain-Hardening Cementitious Composites and Helical Reinforcement for 3D Concrete Printed Structures:
    Case Study of a Spiral Staircase
  16. Ingaglio Joseph, Fox John, Naito Clay, Bocchini Paolo (2019-02)
    Material-Characteristics of Binder-Jet 3D Printed Hydrated CSA Cement with the Addition of Fine Aggregates
  17. Keita Emmanuel, Bessaies-Bey Hela, Zuo Wenqiang, Belin Patrick et al. (2019-06)
    Weak Bond Strength Between Successive Layers in Extrusion-Based Additive Manufacturing:
    Measurement and Physical Origin
  18. Khoshnevis Behrokh (2003-11)
    Automated Construction by Contour Crafting:
    Related Robotics and Information Technologies
  19. Khoshnevis Behrokh, Yuan Xiao, Zahiri Behnam, Zhang Jing et al. (2016-08)
    Construction by Contour Crafting Using Sulfur-Concrete with Planetary Applications
  20. Kreiger Eric, Kreiger Megan, Case Michael (2019-04)
    Development of the Construction Processes for Reinforced Additively Constructed Concrete
  21. Lao Wenxin, Li Mingyang, Wong Teck, Tan Ming et al. (2020-02)
    Improving Surface-Finish-Quality in Extrusion-Based 3D Concrete Printing Using Machine-Learning-Based Extrudate-Geometry-Control
  22. Le Thanh, Austin Simon, Lim Sungwoo, Buswell Richard et al. (2012-01)
    Hardened Properties of High-Performance Printing Concrete
  23. Lim Jian, Panda Biranchi, Pham Quang-Cuong (2018-05)
    Improving Flexural Characteristics of 3D Printed Geopolymer Composites with In-Process Steel-Cable-Reinforcement
  24. Ma Guowei, Li Zhijian, Wang Li, Bai Gang (2018-10)
    Micro-Cable-Reinforced Geopolymer Composite for Extrusion-Based 3D Printing
  25. Ma Guowei, Li Zhijian, Wang Li, Wang Fang et al. (2019-01)
    Mechanical Anisotropy of Aligned Fiber-Reinforced Composite for Extrusion-Based 3D Printing
  26. Marchment Taylor, Sanjayan Jay (2020-09)
    Bond Properties of Reinforcing Bar Penetrations in 3D Concrete Printing
  27. Marchment Taylor, Sanjayan Jay (2019-10)
    Mesh Reinforcing Method for 3D Concrete Printing
  28. Marchment Taylor, Sanjayan Jay, Xia Ming (2019-03)
    Method of Enhancing Inter-Layer Bond Strength in Construction-Scale 3D Printing with Mortar by Effective Bond Area Amplification
  29. Mechtcherine Viktor, Grafe Jasmin, Nerella Venkatesh, Spaniol Erik et al. (2018-05)
    3D Printed Steel-Reinforcement for Digital Concrete Construction:
    Manufacture, Mechanical Properties and Bond Behavior
  30. Mechtcherine Viktor, Michel Albert, Liebscher Marco, Schmeier Tobias (2020-06)
    Extrusion-Based Additive Manufacturing with Carbon Reinforced Concrete:
    Concept and Feasibility Study
  31. Mechtcherine Viktor, Nerella Venkatesh, Will Frank, Näther Mathias et al. (2019-08)
    Large-Scale Digital Concrete Construction:
    CONPrint3D Concept for On-Site, Monolithic 3D Printing
  32. Panda Biranchi, Paul Suvash, Lim Jian, Tay Yi et al. (2017-08)
    Additive Manufacturing of Geopolymer for Sustainable Built Environment
  33. Panda Biranchi, Paul Suvash, Mohamed Nisar, Tay Yi et al. (2017-09)
    Measurement of Tensile Bond Strength of 3D Printed Geopolymer Mortar
  34. Paul Suvash, Zijl Gideon, Tan Ming, Gibson Ian (2018-05)
    A Review of 3D Concrete Printing Systems and Materials Properties:
    Current Status and Future Research Prospects
  35. Putten Jolien, Schutter Geert, Tittelboom Kim (2019-07)
    Surface-Modification as a Technique to Improve Inter-Layer Bonding Strength in 3D Printed Cementitious Materials
  36. Putten Jolien, Schutter Geert, Tittelboom Kim (2018-09)
    The Effect of Print Parameters on the (Micro)structure of 3D Printed Cementitious Materials
  37. Rahul Attupurathu, Santhanam Manu, Meena Hitesh, Ghani Zimam (2019-08)
    Mechanical Characterization of 3D Printable Concrete
  38. Salet Theo, Ahmed Zeeshan, Bos Freek, Laagland Hans (2018-05)
    Design of a 3D Printed Concrete Bridge by Testing
  39. Salet Theo, Bos Freek, Wolfs Robert, Ahmed Zeeshan (2017-06)
    3D Concrete Printing:
    A Structural Engineering Perspective
  40. Sanjayan Jay, Nematollahi Behzad (2019-02)
    3D Concrete Printing for Construction Applications
  41. Sanjayan Jay, Nematollahi Behzad, Xia Ming, Marchment Taylor (2018-04)
    Effect of Surface Moisture on Inter-Layer Strength of 3D Printed Concrete
  42. Schutter Geert, Lesage Karel, Mechtcherine Viktor, Nerella Venkatesh et al. (2018-08)
    Vision of 3D Printing with Concrete:
    Technical, Economic and Environmental Potentials
  43. Shakor Pshtiwan, Chu Shaohua, Puzatova (nee Sharanova) Anastasiia, Dini Enrico (2022-01)
    Review of Binder-Jetting 3D Printing in the Construction Industry
  44. Souza Marcelo, Ferreira Igor, Moraes Elisângela, Senff Luciano et al. (2020-09)
    3D Printed Concrete for Large-Scale Buildings:
    An Overview of Rheology, Printing Parameters, Chemical Admixtures, Reinforcements, and Economic and Environmental Prospects
  45. Tay Yi, Ting Guan, Qian Ye, Panda Biranchi et al. (2018-07)
    Time-Gap-Effect on Bond Strength of 3D Printed Concrete
  46. Wang Li, Tian Zehao, Ma Guowei, Zhang Mo (2020-02)
    Inter-Layer Bonding Improvement of 3D Printed Concrete with Polymer-Modified Mortar:
    Experiments and Molecular Dynamics Studies
  47. Wang Jun, Zhang Xuanzheng, Liu Zhenhua, Zhao Jiasheng (2024-07)
    Study on the Effects of Printing Process and Reinforcement Materials on the Performance of 3D-Printed Glass Bead Insulation Mortar
  48. Wolfs Robert, Bos Freek, Salet Theo (2019-03)
    Hardened Properties of 3D Printed Concrete:
    The Influence of Process Parameters on Inter-Layer Adhesion
  49. Wu Peng, Wang Jun, Wang Xiangyu (2016-04)
    A Critical Review of the Use of 3D Printing in the Construction Industry
  50. Zareiyan Babak, Khoshnevis Behrokh (2017-08)
    Effects of Interlocking on Inter-Layer Adhesion and Strength of Structures in 3D Printing of Concrete
  51. Zareiyan Babak, Khoshnevis Behrokh (2017-06)
    Inter-Layer Adhesion and Strength of Structures in Contour Crafting:
    Effects of Aggregate-Size, Extrusion-Rate, and Layer-Thickness
  52. Zhang Chao, Nerella Venkatesh, Krishna Anurag, Wang Shen et al. (2021-06)
    Mix-Design Concepts for 3D Printable Concrete:
    A Review
  53. Zhu Binrong, Nematollahi Behzad, Pan Jinlong, Zhang Yang et al. (2021-04)
    3D Concrete Printing of Permanent Formwork for Concrete Column Construction

2 Citations

  1. Huang Bo, Liu Chang, Sun Junbo, Wang Yufei et al. (2025-12)
    Optimized Synergy of Fiberglass Mesh and PP Fibers-Modified Structural Adhesive for Enhanced Mechanical and Microstructural Performance in 3D Printing Concrete
  2. Zhang Chao, Ren Juanjuan, Zhang Shihao, Guo Yipu et al. (2025-07)
    Advanced Impact Resistance Design Through 3D-Printed Concrete Technology:
    Unleashing the Potential of Additive Manufacturing for Protective Structures

BibTeX
@article{tang_yan_han_lin.2025.MPoEB3PCCtTotPLaPTI,
  author            = "Boyang Tang and Jiachuan Yan and Xiaoyu Han and Yini Lin and Feng Fan",
  title             = "Mechanical Properties of Extrusion-Based 3D-Printed Concrete Considering the Thickness of the Printed Layer and Printing Time Interval",
  doi               = "10.1016/j.istruc.2025.109225",
  year              = "2025",
  journal           = "Structures",
  volume            = "78",
  pages             = "109225",
}
Formatted Citation

B. Tang, J. Yan, X. Han, Y. Lin and F. Fan, “Mechanical Properties of Extrusion-Based 3D-Printed Concrete Considering the Thickness of the Printed Layer and Printing Time Interval”, Structures, vol. 78, p. 109225, 2025, doi: 10.1016/j.istruc.2025.109225.

Tang, Boyang, Jiachuan Yan, Xiaoyu Han, Yini Lin, and Feng Fan. “Mechanical Properties of Extrusion-Based 3D-Printed Concrete Considering the Thickness of the Printed Layer and Printing Time Interval”. Structures 78 (2025): 109225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2025.109225.