Impact of Printing Directions and Printing Paths on the Compressive Strength of 3D Printed Concrete

3D concrete printing, also known as 3D CP, offers an advantage in creating intricate and unique shapes using a printer equipped with a pump, hose pipe and nozzle. The speed at which the printing process occurs is crucial for construction. It depends on factors such as the size and complexity of the printed element, the pump rate and the quality of the concrete used. To achieve precision during printing, it is essential to use high-performance construction materials. Unlike cast methods, 3D CP does not require support formwork. Thus, certain factors like the fresh properties of the material being used, the orientation in which it is printed and how long it is printed can significantly affect the capacity of the printed objects. The layering involved in printing concrete can introduce weaknesses in joints, which affect all mechanical characteristics of 3D printed elements. This study examines how the printing direction and printing paths influence the compressive strength of 3D printed specimens. Additionally, conventional mould cast specimens were tested for comparison purposes. The findings indicate that both the printing directions and paths impact the strength of these printed specimens.