3D printing with concrete: state-of-the art, trends, challenges

The development of digital construction processes for the production of concrete components directly on the construction site or in the prefabrication plant is a decisive step towards the introduction of the Industry 4.0 concept into the construction industry, namely from the existing digital construction planning (CAD, BIM) for digital production. The technological and economic potentials of the digital concrete construction have now been recognized by many practitioners and researchers; the extent of innovation activities in this field is increasing from month to month. The article at hand gives an overview of these developments and evaluates them critically. Following the introduction of alternative approaches to digital construction, the authors focus on the techniques based on extrusion. For 3D printing with concrete, these techniques are currently used most often, and they also have the greatest potential in terms of the transfer of the new technology into construction practice. However, on the way there are numerous challenges regarding material development and testing, structural design, machine development and many more. These challenges are addressed in the present essay and possible solutions are outlined.