About this Research Topic
In the era of automation, digitalization, and artificial intelligence, the world is evolving under the new paradigm of Industry 4.0. In this scenario, adopting additive manufacturing (AM) technology in the construction industry (construction 3D printing) is transforming the building and infrastructural sectors providing several benefits, such as reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and wastage, improvement in construction productivity, resource/energy efficiency, and creation of complex and functional shaped structures without the implementation of expensive formworks. The design of “printable” materials that satisfy both proper additive processability as well as adequate mechanical and durability requirements is one of the main challenges that contribute to the consolidation of this technology in the construction sector. As for the traditional mix designs, 3D printable cementitious mixtures involve the use of natural aggregates, cement, and virgin fibers (high-performance concretes) which obviously result in a significant impact on the environment. In this sense, the ecodesign of printable concrete is a way to improve the greenness of construction 3D printing. The use of low-carbon binders instead of ordinary cement, the integration of supplementary cementitious fillers from industrial by-products, the implementation of waste or recycled materials as aggregates and fillers, and the addition of natural and/or recycled fibers are some of the practices that can promote the “green” production of printable materials.
The goal of this Research Topic is to assemble a collection of original papers on the current trends and future research directions in construction materials engineered for 3D printing construction. With a special emphasis on the implementation of more eco-sustainable solutions in digital manufacturing of concrete, the special issue aims to disseminate knowledge and innovation on low-impact binders (geopolymers, sulphoaluminate cement, limestone calcined clay cement), waste aggregates to replace virgin ones (construction and demolition waste, recycled glass, waste plastics and rubber, mining aggregates), fillers and admixtures from agricultural and industrial by-products, and natural or reclaimed fibers. Rheological and printability-related properties as well as physical, mechanical, and durability performance must be addressed to assess the feasibility of enabling these new eco-concrete formulations in civil and building engineering applications. A wide range of additive fabrication methods and structures can be implemented using these materials. With a tailored combination of processes, structures, and mixtures, many interesting properties can be explored. Research works that use multicriteria analysis or life cycle assessment (LCA) for comparing materials and processes with a focus on environmental, technological, and economic aspects and impacts will be greatly appreciated.
It is a pleasure to invite you to submit a manuscript for this Special Issue. Full papers and reviews are all welcome. Advanced and green low-carbon materials for 3D printing in construction covers, but are not limited to the following topics:
• Latest research on the design of 3D-printable cementitious and ceramic-based mixtures.
• Alternative binders to ordinary cement optimized for digital fabrication.
• Waste and recycled materials as aggregates in low-carbon concrete and cementitious composites.
• Recycled fibers, natural fillers, or industrial by-products as reinforcing agents for printable mixtures.
• Rheological, printing, and hardened properties assessment
• Modeling of the printing process, printable mixtures, and printed structures.
• Life Cycle Assessment
The goal of this Research Topic is to assemble a collection of original papers on the current trends and future research directions in construction materials engineered for 3D printing construction. With a special emphasis on the implementation of more eco-sustainable solutions in digital manufacturing of concrete, the special issue aims to disseminate knowledge and innovation on low-impact binders (geopolymers, sulphoaluminate cement, limestone calcined clay cement), waste aggregates to replace virgin ones (construction and demolition waste, recycled glass, waste plastics and rubber, mining aggregates), fillers and admixtures from agricultural and industrial by-products, and natural or reclaimed fibers. Rheological and printability-related properties as well as physical, mechanical, and durability performance must be addressed to assess the feasibility of enabling these new eco-concrete formulations in civil and building engineering applications. A wide range of additive fabrication methods and structures can be implemented using these materials. With a tailored combination of processes, structures, and mixtures, many interesting properties can be explored. Research works that use multicriteria analysis or life cycle assessment (LCA) for comparing materials and processes with a focus on environmental, technological, and economic aspects and impacts will be greatly appreciated.
It is a pleasure to invite you to submit a manuscript for this Special Issue. Full papers and reviews are all welcome. Advanced and green low-carbon materials for 3D printing in construction covers, but are not limited to the following topics:
• Latest research on the design of 3D-printable cementitious and ceramic-based mixtures.
• Alternative binders to ordinary cement optimized for digital fabrication.
• Waste and recycled materials as aggregates in low-carbon concrete and cementitious composites.
• Recycled fibers, natural fillers, or industrial by-products as reinforcing agents for printable mixtures.
• Rheological, printing, and hardened properties assessment
• Modeling of the printing process, printable mixtures, and printed structures.
• Life Cycle Assessment
Keywords: Construction 3D printing, Sustainable cement and ceramic-based materials, Sustainable cement, cement, Ceramic-based materials, ceramics, Low-carbon concrete, concrete, low carbon, Waste and recycled aggregates, Natural and Recycled fibers, Rheology and fresh properties, Hardened properties, Environmental performance
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